This farce must stop... people have had enough

LABOUR LEADER: ONLY ELECTION

But a number of obstacles could stand in his way. First, he would have to be selected by the local party as their candidate.

Tory HQ refused to say whether they would step in to block an attempt – but are said to favour a “local candidate” in the seat.

A Tory source said: “Up to three candidates will be put to the association members.”

But even if Mr Johnson was selected by the local party and won the by-election, he may still not escape the ruling he tried to skirt by quitting.

Standards Committee chairman Chris Bryant said it can apply to a current or former MP “so he’d just be suspended again.”

But such a situation has never arisen before and it is unclear if the rules would work this way.

The Privileges Committee, chaired by Labour’s Harriet Harman, is set to meet tomorrow and will publish the full report into Mr Johnson “promptly.”

A spokesman said: “The Committee has followed the mandate of the House at all times. Mr Johnson has departed from the processes of the House and impugned the integrity of the House by his statement.”

MIKEY SMITH

BORIS Johnson is already plotting his comeback as the Tories descend into civil war following his shock resignation.

Labour leader Keir Starmer accused Rishi Sunak of losing control and demanded the Prime Minister call a general election now.

Mr Johnson quit as an MP on Friday night, sidestepping punishment for lying to the Commons about lawbreaking lockdown parties.

But the shamed ex-pm hinted at a return to Parliament in his resignation speech – as a string of supporters predicted he would be back.

Writing in this newspaper, Mr Starmer said Mr Sunak wasn’t strong enough to “stand up to the Tory berserkers determined to drag the country down with them”.

He added: “Rishi Sunak must finally find a backbone, call an election, and let the public have their say on 13 years of Tory failure.

“This farce must stop. People have had enough.” Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper joined calls for Mr Sunak to finally go to the country.

“The Conservative Party is in meltdown and must now call a general election,” she said.

“It is time people across the country have their opportunity to give a verdict on this chaotic Conservative Government.”

A snap poll taken overnight found six in 10 voters thought Mr Johnson was right to quit.

Just 17% believe he did not knowingly mislead Parliament – while 65% think he did. But some Tory MPS insist it is not the end of their hero, who is said to be abroad after making a speech in Cairo.

James Duddridge – up for a knighthood by Mr Johnson – said: “This is the conclusion of a chapter, not the end of the book.”

Conor Burns added: “I fancy this isn’t the end.

Good luck, boss.”

Hours before Mr

Johnson’s bombshell resignation, one of