Fifth Downing Street aide quits in 24 hours as Boris Johnson quotes Lion King to boost morale

Boris Johnson has been trying to reassure beleaguered Downing Street staff after his special adviser on women and equalities became the fifth aide to quit in 24 hours.

But another Tory MP submitted a letter of no confidence and the Health Secretary Sajid Javid became the latest cabinet colleague to distance himself from the prime minister’s controversial attack on Keir Starmer.