Saturday 4 June 2022 01:19 AM Boris Johnson could face a Tory leadership challenge 'every THREE MONTHS' under ... trends now

Boris Johnson could face a Tory leadership challenge every three months under a new plans to cut the time-limit on no confidence votes, it is understood.

Sir Graham Brady, the chairman the powerful Tory 1922 Committee, has 'taken soundings' from Conservative party members on cutting the time-limit from a year to three to six months, reports The Sun. 

Sir Graham is reportedly considering reducing the time limit - or axing the limit altogether - amid the controversy over Partygate.

Speculation has reached fever pitch over the scandal, with Conservative critics racking up. 

Concerns could have been further fuelled by apparent booking for Mr Johnson as he arrived for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee service on Friday morning - although there were also cheers. 

In order to trigger a confidence vote, 54 letters from Conservative MPs must be submitted to Sir Graham. 

Under current rules, if Mr Johnson won a vote of no confidence, the Prime Minister would be immune to another for a year.

But under the new reported plans, the limit could be reduced to three months - meaning Mr Johnson could face a rolling leadership threat.

Sources close to Sir Graham denied that such plans are being considered by the chairman. The Conservative Party have been contacted for comment. 

It comes as the Tory revolt against Mr Johnson is threatening to descend into chaos as MPs squabble over Brexit and how soon to launch a coup.

The rebellion does not appear to be well coordinated, and anti-Boris factions are split on how soon to make their move.

Some MPs fear that Mr Johnson will win easily if the threshold of 54 no-confidence letters is hit on Monday or Tuesday, triggering a full ballot. Instead they are urging colleagues to hold off until after two crunch by-elections on June 23.

Meanwhile, ringleaders are embroiled in bitter infighting after former minister Tobias Ellwood suggested the UK should rejoin the EU's single market, even if it means accepting the free movement of people.

Foreign Affairs committee chair Tom Tugendhat, who has openly said he wants to be the next leader, quickly distanced himself from the stance. 

'Tobias is wrong. The Single Market puts the EU in charge,' he tweeted. 'We need a deal British people control not foreign laws with no say.' 

Ex-chief whip Mark Harper, who has himself submitted a letter calling for Mr Johnson to face a confidence vote, also dismissed the idea.

'The UK voted to leave the EU. That meant leaving the Single Market and putting an end to freedom of movement. The end,' he tweeted.

Under Conservative party rules, Mr Johnson will face a confidence vote amongst Tory MPs if 54 write to Sir Graham, chairman of the 1922 committee, demanding one.

While only around 20 MPs have publicly indicated they have sent letters, many more have been critical. Some might have .