UK PM Johnson faces new threat of confidence vote over lockdown parties
Britain's prime minister Boris Johnson attends a press conference in the Downing Street Briefing Room in central London on May 25, 2022, following the publication of the Sue Gray report.
British prime minister Boris Johnson is facing the growing threat of a confidence vote as two more lawmakers suggested they had lost faith in his government over the "partygate" scandal and a former party leader said he could be challenged next week.
Mr John Stevenson, a Conservative member of parliament, said he has been "deeply disappointed" by the rule-breaking parties during the Covid-19 national lockdowns and called for the prime minister to put himself forward for a vote of confidence as a way to "draw the line" under the issues.
"Sadly, the prime minister appears unwilling to bring matters to a head," Mr Stevenson said in a statement. "Therefore, the only option is for the Conservative MPs to facilitate a vote of confidence. I have already taken the appropriate action."
A damning official report published last week detailed a series of illegal parties at Mr Johnson's Downing Street office during Covid-19 lockdowns, prompting a new wave of calls for the Conservative prime minister to step aside.
More than 25 Conservative lawmakers have called on Mr Johnson to resign, while at least a further six have criticised his conduct but stopped short of saying he should resign.
