David Lidington is the “front man” taking all the “blows” for Michael Gove to step in as Prime Minister, theorised a radio host. Maajid Nawaz argued Mr Gove is the “dark horse”, while Mr Lidington is the “fall guy”. The LBC radio presenter said: “My suspicions are that this is a front man to take all the blows for somebody perhaps like Michael Gove to step in as interim Prime Minister during this period. Perhaps that’s what’s going to happen, and Michael Gove’s friends and supporters, and he has many on the right wing of the Conservative Party, have been making these moves for a long while, and the diligent observer has been noticing.

“Now the other interesting thing with Michael Gove is if you notice, his own line on a lot of the side as I said, and I said it deliberately, he has a lot of support on the right wing of the Party.

“But his own mantra has softened, and so that indicates somebody who wants to be the leader. Everyone knows, as is famous with Tony Blair and the mantra has been re-applied by David Cameron, that elections are won from the centre.

“So Gove has been softening his line on Brexit recently, softening his line on many things, but also has recently interestingly a proven track record in various Government departments.

Mr Nawaz continued: “Whether it be education and the free school policies instituted, or his track record at MOJ, the Ministry of Justice.

His own mantra has softened, and that indicates somebody who wants to be leader

Maajid Nawaz

“Or indeed his track record most recently at Environment, where he is able to move entire Government departments to bring in radical reforms.

“So the whispers and rumours are that he may well be the man needed to shift the machinery of Government towards delivering whatever it is we do next with this Brexit conundrum and cul-de-sac.

“So though David Lidington’s name is being floated, I just put it out there, could it well be that he’s the fall guy for the dark horse which is approaching from behind, which is indeed Michael Gove.”

The comments follow Theresa May coming under intense pressure to name her departure date ahead of one final effort to win the Commons backing for her Brexit deal this week.

It is claimed 11 Cabinet ministers want Mrs May to make way for someone else and Mr Lidington or Mr Gove was in line to take over the helm.

Mr Gove and Mr Lidington both pledged their support to the beleaguered Prime Minister after being named at the centre of the Cabinet coup to oust her from No 10.

The Environment Secretary said it was “not the time to change the captain of the ship”, while Mr Lidington said he had no desire to take over the reins.

Mr Gove told the BBC: “I think this is a time for cool heads. But we absolutely do need to focus on the task at hand and that’s making sure that we get the maximum possible support for the Prime Minister and her deal.

“It’s not the time to change the captain of the ship, I think what we need to do is to chart the right course.”

Speaking to reporters in his Aylesbury constituency, Mr Lidington said: “I don’t think that I’ve any wish to take over from the PM who I think is doing a fantastic job.

“I tell you this – one thing that working closely with the Prime Minister does is cure you completely of any lingering shred of ambition to want to do that task.”

On Sunday Mrs May summoned leading Brexiteers to a ‘High Noon’ showdown at Chequers.

Boris Johnson, Iain Duncan Smith, Dominic Raab and Jacob Rees-Mogg were among those invited to speak with Mrs May at her country retreat.

Downing Street said the “lengthy” meeting discussed a range of issues, including whether there is sufficient support in the Commons to bring back a Meaningful Vote this week.

On Monday, the Prime Minister will hold high stakes Cabinet meetings on Monday morning where she will come face to face with those accused of attempting to topple her.

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