Boris Johnson says he has ‘seen no evidence’ of rebel MPs being blackmailed

The row about Boris Johnson’s future took a darker turn today with allegations of blackmail and intimidation being used against Tory rebels.

Conservative MP William Wragg said that ministers and Downing Street staff had threatened MPs who dared to speak out against the prime minister with the prospect of embarrassing stories appearing in the newspapers.

He also said MPs were warned that their constituencies would suffer funding cuts if they did not tow the line.

Boris Johnson said he had not seen or heard any evidence to support the allegations.