Prime Minister told to ‘get a grip’ as Tory discontent grows

Leadership: May faces mounting pressure as MPS dish out criticism

Prime Minister Theresa May was facing mounting pressure as a string of Tory MPS criticised her leadership and Government, with one saying the party was “letting this country down”.

Mrs May was urged to “get a grip” and give some “direction” to her promises to tackle “burning injustices” while one MP compared the speed of the Government’s policy-making to a tortoise.

Tory discontent over her leadership and Brexit has led to reports that the number of MPS who have written to the backbench 1922 Committee calling for a contest is close to the trigger point needed to force a battle aimed at toppling the PM.

A briefing war appeared to play out at the weekend between likely contenders, Boris Johnson and Gavin Williamson.

Sources said the defence secretary was the victim of smears following anonymous and incorrect briefings that he leaked intelligence, but an unnamed Foreign Office official criticised the tone of an interview he gave warning Russia could kill many thousands of Britons.

The PM’S deputy, Cabinet Office minister David Lidington, urged Tories to come together in mutual respect.

He told BBC1’S Andrew Marr Show: “I think what I say to all my colleagues is the Conservative family – left, right and centre, because we’re a broad church – needs to come together in a spirit of mutual respect, there are differences in any broad church, and look at what the bigger picture is showing.

“The bigger picture is showing that after eight years in Government, we are still neck and neck with the Labour Party in the polls, we’re taking seats off them in places like Bolton in local government elections last week.

“And the other thing my colleagues need to remember is look at last week’s news – unemployment, lowest level for 40 years... new borrowing figures lower than expected, new growth figures higher than expected.”

But several Tories appeared exasperated.

Heidi Allen said the party needs to “get a grip and lead”.

She tweeted a photo of the Sunday Times’ front page with the headline “Tories in turmoil”, adding: “And yet the old guard hangs on in and doesn’t understand why we need to change.’ Good God we need to get a grip and lead. We are letting this country down.”

Normally loyal backbencher Nigel Mills said the PM has not delivered on her early promises to tackle “burning injustices” and that MPS are concerned at the Government’s lack of direction.

Picture: PA. Gavin Williamson is a potential contender for the Prime Minister’s job.