ONE of the rebel Tory MPs who called for a vote of confidence in Boris Johnson's leadership has said that he is "not surprised" the Prime Minister faces the vote tonight.

John Stevenson, Member of Parliament for Carlisle, is one of 54 Conservative MPs who have written to Sir Graham Brady, calling for a vote of confidence in the PM.

And Mr Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee has announced that a vote will take place at 6pm tonight with members of the Parliamentary Conservative Party asked to declare whether or not they wish to see Boris Johnson lead them into the next General Election.

Speaking this morning, Carlisle's MP said: "I'm not totally surprised by the turn of events. I'm disappointed the Prime Minister himself didn't put himself forward."

The PM faces the dissent within his own party following revelations of lockdown rule-breaking parties in Downing Street.

READ MORE: Carlisle leader John Mallinson blames PM for painful defeat

Pressure from backbench MPs has intensified to this point following the publication of the full Sue Gray report, which outlines the extent of the Covid breaches.

Controversy surrounding the Number 10 and the cost of living crisis is also believed to have contributed to some of the clear election defeats for the Conservatives in May.

Mr Stevenson has been vocal in his disappointment at the actions of the PM; Chancellor of the Exchequer and civil servants embroiled in 'Partygate' but said he will respect the  result of tonights vote.

"I've made my views quite public, I said there should be a vote but I don't think it really matters what I think now, I think it matters what the collective will of the Parliamentary Conservative Party is.

"We are where we are, my colleagues will have to decide whether they think Boris Johnson is the right person to lead the Conservative Party."

Mr Stevenson brought Tom Tugendhat, MP for Tonbridge and Malling to Carlisle last month in a public show of support.

Mr Tugendhat is the first backbench Conservative MP to reveal his intentions to run against the Prime Minister in a potential leadership race.

READ MORE: Vote of no confidence: Who could replace Boris Johnson?

It would take a vote of no confidence from 180 Conservative MPs tonight to force Mr Johnson to resign as party leader and Prime Minister.