Boris Johnson 'absolutely sure' he'll still be PM by October despite Tory turmoil over partygate

Boris Johnson has said he's absolutely sure he will still be prime minister by October, despite mounting anger in the Tory party about his handling of the partygate scandal.

The PM is facing more calls for him to quit as prime minister over Covid-rule-breaking in Downing Street during the pandemic, with pressure for his resignation overshadowing his trade mission to India.

Four backbench Tories have urged him to quit this week and former defence minister Tobias Ellwood told ITV News he expects "more and more" Conservatives to join the calls.

He added that the prime minister should call a vote of confidence to settle the matter, with him becoming a distraction for the governing party.

But when Mr Johnson was asked whether he was "absolutely sure" he'll remain PM to see a trade deal with India pass by Diwali on October 24, he said "yes".

During his visit to India, ITV News Deputy Political Editor Anushka Asthana asked whether he was a "cat with nine lives", given his survival amid repeated allegations that he broke his own coronavirus rules.

Mr Johnson replied: "Talking about cats, we had a pretty good kick of the cat yesterday. Not that I'm in favour of kicking cats, for the avoidance of all doubt."

As he met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Johnson noted he he would not get the same “fantastic welcome” everywhere.

Steve Baker dramatically rescinded his support for the prime minister during Thursday's debate on Mr Johnson's standards, following William Wragg and Mark Harper who said his conduct during the pandemic means he cannot remain leader of the UK.

Mr Ellwood told ITV News "others will come forward too and say 'I can no longer support this'" and the Ukraine crisis should not be used as a "fig leaf" to keep Prime Minister Johnson in post.

"I fear that we will see more and more individuals make the same decision," he added.

Mr Baker said the possibility of him forgiving the PM for breaking his own coronavirus rules was "gone", adding: "The prime minister should just know the gig's up."

Mr Wragg told MPs he "cannot reconcile" Mr Johnson remaining PM, as he reminded colleagues that he had already submitted a letter of no confidence in the Tory leader.

He also rubbished the argument that the war in Ukraine should keep the prime minister in post, saying: "The invasion of a sovereign nation by a dictatorial aggressor should not be a reason why we should accept lower standards ourselves."

A day earlier Mr Harper, a former Tory whip, tweeted a letter to the chair of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservatives stating that he no longer has confidence in Mr Johnson.

He told MPs on Tuesday: “I’m very sorry to have to say this, but I no longer think he is worthy of the great office that he holds."

Tory backbenchers Nigel Mills and Craig Whittaker have also urged Mr Johnson to resign, while several others have said he should not be the person who leads them into the next election.

Mr Johnson announced in India that he was reopening the British embassy in Ukraine due to "the success of President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people in resisting Russian forces in Kyiv" - but he was unable to escape repeated questioning from journalists about partygate.

It came after MPs in Westminster ordered an investigation by the Privileges Committee into whether Mr Johnson lied to Parliament.

'Really damaging': Robert Peston breaks down how Thursday's events show support for the PM is fractured among Tory MPs

The Commons investigation was approved after a chaotic day in which Mr Johnson was forced to drop an attempt to delay the probe because of a rebellion among Tory colleagues.

Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall has said he cannot forgive the prime minister for "misleading the House".

"Every day that I see issues and rules broken in this place only reaffirms my belief that we have to stand up in this place and make it clear that dishonesty, that inaction and misleading of the House cannot be tolerated from anyone."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said his motion was about the principle of "honesty, integrity and telling the truth" as he urged MPs back an investigation into the PM's conduct.

He said the PM had tried to "cover up his misdeeds" by taking advantage of the Commons convention not to call someone a liar.

Listen to the ITV News What You Need To Know podcast - with the latest on the partygate probe

The Privileges Committee will investigate whether Mr Johnson committed contempt of Parliament by misleading MPs, a charge which could result in him being expelled from the Commons.

The Commons inquiry will begin after the Met Police concludes its investigation into Covid-rule-breaking on Downing Street.

Asked on the first day of his trade mission to India whether he knowingly or unknowingly misled Parliament, Mr Johnson said: "Of course not".