DEHENNA Davison has dismissed national news reports claiming she is leading a political coup to oust Prime Minister Boris Johnson as ‘bonkers’.

The Conservative MP for Bishop Auckland, who was elected in 2019 and was a staunch supporter of her party leader, said she believed someone in her party was giving media briefings against her.

Reports on Wednesday morning claimed 20 'Red Wall' MPs in former northern Labour heartlands were poised to submit letters to 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady after PMQs.

It is understood they would bring the total close to the 54 that would prompt a no-confidence vote in their leader.

Ms Davison said: “The first thing I knew about me leading a coup was when I read about it in today’s Daily Mail, which shows how much merit this story has.

“I also was surprised to learn today that I was apparently planning to defect to the Labour Party, something else that is totally fabricated and, as a proud Conservative, something I would never do.

“Frankly, I’m very disappointed that a colleague would brief out against me in this way, but it is a strange time in politics.

“I’m currently in the process of writing to the many constituents who have contacted me about the Downing Street parties and the Prime Minister’s response where I outline my position more fully.”

The so-called ‘mutiny’ is said to have been dubbed the "pork pie plot" because it is believed to involve Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Melton, home of the Melton Mowbray pork pie.

Read more: Sewerage effluent polluted water course near Bishop Auckland

It has also been claimed over 100 Tory MPs attended a dinner at the Carlton Club on Tuesday evening, the elite spiritual home of the Conservative Party, where discussions centred around whether or not Mr Johnson can survive the political turmoil he faces over parties at Downing Street while Covid restrictions were in place.

Ms Davison said: “I am incredibly angry about the Downing Street parties and the Prime Minister’s response.

“It will be for the Prime Minister himself, or the Conservative Party collectively, to decide the Prime Minister’s future.

“Of course, I have had a number of conversations with colleagues about this, as is the case with every political development, be it policy based or otherwise, but to suggest I’m leading a coup is bonkers.

“My priority is to help restore integrity in politics, and restore people’s faith in politicians.

“Now more than ever we need to ensure the Government is focused on tackling the challenges our country is facing, and on delivering real positive change in people’s lives.”

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