Politics latest news: Senior Tories warn against ‘divisive’ call to oust Sunak

Kevin Hollinrake, a business business, suggested that there was some “panic” behind Sir Simon Clarke’s call for a new Tory leader.

He told Times Radio: “Of course, some people panic at a difficult time. This is not the overwhelming view of the party.”

Business minister Kevin Hollinrake firmly rejected the call by Sir Simon Clarke for the Tories to replace Rishi Sunak as leader, insisting the Prime Minister had the “overwhelming” support of Tory MPs. 

Mr Hollinrake cited Mr Sunak’s achievements in office, telling Times Radio: “I don’t think he [Sir Simon] is right.

“The parliamentary party and wider party are overwhelming in support of the Prime Minister and quite rightly too.”

Asked if he believed Mr Sunak was an electoral asset, Mr Hollinrake said “absolutely I do”.

“The vast majority of people in our parliamentary party, our wider party, completely support Rishi Sunak,” he said. 

Senior Tory MPs have rounded on Sir Simon Clarke after his call to oust Rishi Sunak as Conservative infighting broke out into the open. 

The former Cabinet minister said in a piece for The Telegraph that Mr Sunak must be replaced or the Tories will face an electoral “massacre” at the next general election. 

But Dame Priti Patel, the former home secretary, and Sir David Davis, the former Brexit secretary, hit back and warned against engaging in “facile and divisive self indulgence”. 

Dame Priti said: “At this critical time for our country, with challenges at home and abroad, our party must focus on the people we serve and deliver for the country. Engaging in facile and divisive self indulgence only serves our opponents, it’s time to unite and get on with the job.”

Sir David tweeted: “This is getting silly. The Party and the country are sick and tired of MPs putting their own leadership ambitions ahead of the UK’s best interests.”