Peter Dutton has launched a second strike to topple Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in a sudden move to force a vote on the leadership, as his allies urge a swift end to the turmoil at the top of the government.

The former home affairs minister sanctioned Liberal MPs to demand a fresh vote on the leadership, in a sign of his confidence in securing the support needed to win a ballot among on Thursday morning.

Mr Dutton’s supporters circulated a petition to force the meeting in a surprise move on Wednesday night, just as he faced doubts over whether his financial affairs made him ineligible to sit in Parliament.

Fairfax Media was told the petition had enough support to force a ballot to be held, arguing it would be untenable for Mr Turnbull to resist a call from a substantial group asking for a meeting even if they did not gain a majority.