THE fate of Boris Johnson's embattled premiership could be decided this week. Downing Street's sense of crisis is matched by the febrile mood in the Tory party, shaken by self-inflicted wounds and fading popularity.

Boris Johnson is in 'great difficulty' admits Steve Baker

In a climate of mounting turmoil, more than 60 Tory MPs are expected to vote in the Commons tomorrow against new anti-Covid restrictions under the Government's so-called Plan B. This deepening hostility to another crackdown is partly fuelled by the belief that the measures are illogical, illiberal and ill-conceived. But there is also a widespread feeling that Johnson's Cabinet has lost the credibility to enforce these new controls, given allegations of Downing Street parties last winter in breach of lockdown.

At a time when law-abiding citizens were unable to see their loved ones, the apparent brazen hypocrisy at the heart of the "Partygate" scandal has infuriated the public and left many Tory MPs in despair.

Its impact has been all the greater because Johnson's stature has been diminished in recent months by other furores, such as the row over the funding of his Downing Street refurbishment and his reckless attempt to save disgraced MP Owen Paterson by the overthrow of the independent standards regime in the Commons.

What makes this climate of friction all the more dangerous for the Prime Minister is that he has alienated core Tory supporters with his attachment to the fashionable progressive agenda,...

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