Boris Johnson announces war on stolen gas stations

The move comes as the prime minister faces growing pressure from the Tories over his leadership, for a growing number of no-confidence deputies in Johnson, and three ministers who publicly criticize Downing Street over the door scandal.

Penny Mordaunt, the Secretary of Commerce, told voters that the breach of the rules revealed by the Sue Gray report was “shameful”.

Ms Mordaunt said she was “angry” at those on Downing Street who ignored Covid’s rules while blocking “reasonable demands to release restrictions” during the pandemic.

John Glen, the finance minister, said Mr Johnson was now in “yellow card territory” and George Freeman, the science minister, said: “The report clarifies that this is a deeper problem in culture No. 10 … to repair the damaged public confidence, serious changes must now be made. “

“We want to stimulate the market”

Mr. Johnson’s war against gasoline dealers follows an unexpected tax return for oil and gas companies last week. The RAC said retailers were “on average taking 2 p per liter more” than they were before the 5 p reduction.

Last week, senior ministers discussed the idea of ​​introducing a similar tax for petrol companies.

During a telephone conversation in the cabinet, Nadhim Zahawi, secretary of education, pointed out that the gross profit from fuel sales reported by EG Group, the lobby giant, had increased by 16 per cent in the first quarter of the year.

But a government source said number 10 and ministers opted for a less “interventionist” measure.

“We want to stimulate the market. We do not intend to intervene in this, “the source said.

A source on Downing Street added, “We’re not looking for another tax.”

The minister from the cabinet said: “The government does not depend on how much profit the business brings. But once we ensure a 5-pound cut in taxes, you expect good capitalists to pass that on. ”

The Competition and Markets Authority is “closely monitoring the situation”.

David Davis, a former cabinet minister, writes in this paper Recalling on Saturday that Tory MPs “see their seats disappearing”, said: “The government should not do now to overburden us and then return our own cash as pocket money. It should take every opportunity to reduce or abolition of taxes. “

In a separate article by Robert Jenrick, former housing secretaryhe said it was “difficult to explain what sets us apart from our opponents”.