Backlash over oust call

SENIOR Tories have warned against another round of damaging infighting after former Cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke called for Rishi Sunak to be replaced as leader to avoid a Conservative “massacre” at the general election.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said it would be “foolish” to have further dissent within the party, arguing that it would leave the door open to Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer.

Former defence secretary Ben Wallace dismissed Sir Simon’s call to oust Mr Sunak, saying “division and another PM would lead to the certain loss of power”.

Mr Cleverly and Mr Wallace were among a series of current and former ministers who publicly rejected Sir Simon’s challenge to the Prime Minister’s authority as Tories rallied round Mr Sunak.