Shotley peninsula MP James Cartlidge and senior Conservative councillors have refused to back prime minister Boris Johnson.

As more and more MPs have written letters to 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady, which would need 54 to trigger the vote of no confidence needed to oust Johnson, Mr Cartlidge has refused to come out one way or another on his position.

Mr Cartlidge, who represents South Suffolk, refused to say if he backed Boris, or how many of his constituents and Conservative colleagues have called on him to act after the prime minister was accused of misleading parliament over parties held at Downing Street.

Babergh leader John Ward also refused to support Johnson and insisted he was more concerned with issues affecting residents in Hadleigh and the surrounding villages.

"I am focusing on local district matters," said Cllr Ward, "ensuring that we deliver on our promises and maintain good quality services for our residents – and, most importantly over the next few weeks, ensuring that we have a balanced budget for the forthcoming year."

Mary McLaren, the Conservative Babergh member for Stour ward, failed to respond.

Meanwhile, Christian Wakeford, who was part of the so-called 'port pie plot' to oust the PM, has defected from the Conservative party, to join Labour, and today sat directly opposite Johnson during prime minister questions at parliament.