A leaked deselection target list of around 60 Tory MPs has caused controversy within the Conservative Party.
The list, seen by Express, was drawn up by Conservative activists who support Boris Johnson, and includes MPs who were held responsible for the former Prime Minister’s downfall.
It includes MPs from both the left and right of the party who resigned en masse, forcing Mr Johnson to announce his resignation.
The list also includes the Chief Whip, Simon Hart, who resigned as Welsh Secretary and is now in charge of keeping discipline in the parliamentary party.
The list has caused concern among some Conservative MPs who fear they may be deselected as a result.
Already, two MPs, Sally-Ann Hart in Hastings and Jo Gideon in Stoke Central, have been blocked from being reselected due to their perceived disloyalty to Mr Johnson.
However, the Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO), which was founded in the wake of Rishi Sunak becoming party leader without a vote by the membership, has denied trying to bring Boris Johnson back.
Some MPs who support Mr Johnson have noted that their colleagues are getting worried about reselection, particularly with the boundary changes to seats making it less straightforward.
The list has caused controversy within the party, with some MPs feeling that it is an attempt to silence dissent and force them to fall in line behind Mr Johnson.
However, those who drew up the list say that it is simply a way to hold MPs accountable for their actions and ensure that the party is united.
