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Boris Johnson is desperately fighting to cling on to power as the Partygate row rages.
Allies have insisted there is no prospect of the PM resigning, despite admitting that he attended a boozy Downing Street bash at the height of lockdown in May 2020.
But Tory anger is growing with dozens of MPs considering a coup attempt - possibly even before the results of a probe into alleged Whitehall lockdown breaches by top civil servant Sue Gray.
Backbenchers elected in 2019 appear to be particularly up in arms, amid claims there was a meeting to discuss action, dubbed the 'Pork Pie plot' because one of them represents Melton Mowbray.
Barring resignation, there is a clear process for ousting and replacing the leader - and rebels will be checking the details in case they decide to act.
What is the mechanism for removing the Tory leader?
Conservative Party rules allow MPs to force a vote of no confidence in their leader.
Much of the responsibility rests in the hands of the chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady.
He is responsible for receiving letters from MPs saying they want to trigger a vote.
And when he has
