- Alex Chalk, the UK's solicitor general, is under pressure to resign over Boris Johnson's handling of partygate.
- The Liberal Democrats are targeting the Tory MP, who has a slim majority in Cheltenham.
- Tory sources told Insider he was "wobbly," but suggested it was unlikely he would quit.
The UK's solicitor general is coming under fresh pressure to resign over Boris Johnson's handling of partygate.
Alex Chalk, the MP for the marginal seat of Cheltenham, is being targeted by the Liberal Democrats. Leader Ed Davey will travel to the constituency Friday, to say those who stand by "a law-breaking and lying Prime Minister are guilty by association."
Davey, whose party has scooped up two Tory seats in recent months thanks to by-elections in Chesham & Amersham and North Somerset, will say: "It is extraordinary that a minister responsible for giving legal advice to the government is prepared to still support Boris Johnson. Alex Chalk clearly thinks its fine for a law-maker to be a law-breaker."
Chalk, who has been solicitor general since September 2021, was on resignation watch during the height of the partygate row earlier this year. In a letter to constituents he refused to reveal whether he had submitted a letter of no confidence to the 1922 Committee, saying it was a "private" decision, The Times reported.
Conservative sources told Insider he was still "wobbly," having reportedly had to be persuaded to stay back in February.
One backbencher told Insider Chalk "will find it very difficult," given the nature of his 'Blue Wall' voters, who have become increasingly disillusioned with Johnson. The minister is also sitting on a tiny majority of just 981 votes.
"He's solicitor general. He has a professional reputation. He's against the Lib Dems. He said he'd resign if the PM broke the law," the senior Tory added. "Alex is a remainer and no fan of the PM. Hard to keep defending when you don't believe in it yourself."
Another said Chalk was "very [wobbly], but he always is."
However a third backbencher hit out at the Lib Dems, saying: "They are barmy and nasty — a bad combo."
Chalk did not respond to requests for comment from Insider.
MPs voted Thursday to refer the prime minister to the privileges committee, meaning he will be subject to scrutiny from parliamentary colleagues following the conclusion of the police probe and report by senior civil servant Sue Gray.
The government dropped its planned amendment, and the three-line whip, meaning Labour's motion passed on the nod — without individual votes being recorded.
But several senior Conservatives spoke out against their leader, most significantly former Brexit minister Steve Baker. The MP, who just two days previously had backed Johnson, told the prime minister he should have been "long gone," adding: "The gig is up."
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