The charge was led by no deal chief Michael Gove during a tense meeting of the Cabinet in No10 on Wednesday. Pleading for the Prime Minister to reverse his punishment, senior members insisted he offer the expelled rebels “a way back” so they can join the Parliamentary party. Health Secretary Matt Hancock asked the Prime Minister to outline how the expelled rebels could “find redemption” as he questioned Mr Johnson’s controversial decision.

A Cabinet minister told The Sun: “We have to offer them a way back, as we must remain a broad church.”

Northern Ireland Secretary and ex-chief whip Julian Smith, Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan and Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd also spoke out against the decision.

A source from No10 claimed Mr Johnson told Cabinet ministers he “has sympathy” for their argument but held firm his decision.

He insisted the rebels would “not support our manifesto” in a snap general election.

Ex-deputy Prime Minister Damien Green published an open letter on behalf of the Tory ‘One Nation’ group in a sign of growing pressure.

The group included a number of Cabinet members demanding the whip be restored to the Conservative rebels.

More to follow…

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