Tory rebels plotting to oust Boris Johnson on Thursday claimed the police should be brought in to deal with allegations that party whips tried to "blackmail" critical MPs. Rebels accused whips of threatening to withhold funds from their constituencies and release compromising material on them. But Mr Johnson denied knowledge of bullying tactics and whip sources accused the rebels of lying, demanding they provide proof. "We want the chief whip's head on a spike," said one MP who is seeking Mr Johnson's political demise. The chief whip is Mark Spencer, one of the Prime Minister's closest allies who is attempting to dissuade potential rebels from bringing down Mr Johnson.

Source: The Times January 21, 2022 10:00 UTC