Boris Johnson, who has attracted support for a leadership challenge, at his Oxfordshire home yesterday

Boris Johnson has been pressed by five other members of the cabinet to oust Theresa May as prime minister as the Tory party descended into a new civil war.

The foreign secretary was contacted by the ministers on Friday morning as the scale of the general election debacle was unfolding and told they would support him if he moved against May.

“A handful of senior people have pledged their loyalty to Boris at cabinet level,” an ally said.

“He has been inundated with messages of support. We are facing a populist and they have realised we need someone who can talk to the people. We need a Brexiteer. Boris is the only option with the liberal values, Brexit credentials and popular appeal.”

What now for the Conservatives?

With rivals circling,