Boris Johnson is the victim of the privileges committee's "witch-hunt", loyalist MPs have told GB News, with Rishi Sunak now facing a "dangerous challenge" to his leadership.
The former Prime Minister, 58, announced he has stood down as the MP for Uxbridge & South Ruislip with immediate effect as the privileges committee's Partygate probe neared publication.
Johnson, who delivered the Conservative Party's largest majority since 1987 at the last general election, said he was left "bewildered and appalled" by the privileges committee's drive to oust him from the House of Commons.
He even suggested the privileges committee was looking to seek revenge for his role in the 2016 Brexit referendum and the United Kingdom's subsequent departure from the European Union.
Boris Johnson was grilled in front of MPs in the privileges committee's party probe
PASeveral Conservative MPs have spoken to GB News about Johnson's decision to trigger a by-election in his West London constituency.
A Johnson loyalist MP said: "The very fact we have got to the point where a former Prime Minister is resigning on the back of an investigation into him which was fundamentally biased is bizarre."
Another MP claimed: "I assume the privileges committee somehow decided Boris needed to be suspended for 10 days and he said f**k that I don’t need to put up with this nonsense."
They added: “This is presumably going to tear the Conservative Party apart.”
Rishi Sunak has been warned Boris Johnson's resignation is "dangerous"
ReutersJohnson could have faced a by-election if the privileges committee, which had not yet published its findings, suspended him from the Commons for 10 days.
An opinion poll by Lord Ashcroft suggested the ex-Prime Minister could retain his seat.
However, national surveys indicated that the seismic swing towards Labour would see Sir Keir Starmer overturn Johnson's 7,210-vote majority in Uxbridge & South Ruislip.
Another MP told GB News: “I am amazed as I just don’t think they could possibly prove he knowingly or recklessly misled Parliament.
Johnson had a 7,210 vote majority in Uxbridge & South Ruislip
PA“There is no way that it is possible to know what was in Boris' mind.
“I am afraid this is going to be very bad news for the current Prime Minister in the long run.
“This was a Boris witch-hunt from the start and Brexit was a big part of what he did.”
A source from the grassroots campaign group Conservative Democratic Organisation also suggested that the Tory Party should rebuild around the former Prime Minister.
Rishi Sunak served as Boris Johnson's Chancellor
PAThey said: "I thought if the privileges committee played silly buggers then this was always the case.
"He was going to jump before he was pushed.
"But this is dangerous for Sunak. Boris is an effective campaigner and dangerous to him.
"From the CDO's point of view, we can form a more democratic party which existed before 1988 and it should be built around Boris Johnson."
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was a central figure in the Vote Leave campaign
PAThe source even suggested that the ex-Prime Minister could "feasibly" exert pressure on CCHQ to put himself forward for the Mid Bedfordshire by-election.
Allies close to Johnson believe the 58-year-old's political career is far from over and he could pull off a Churchillian-style comeback in the future.
Johnson hinted at his resignation spelling the temporary end of his career, adding: "It is very sad to be leaving Parliament - at least for now."
However, a Conservative Minster claimed Johnson's resignation would spark little issues for Sunak and showed freedom of speech in action.
They told GB News: "Boris is standing up for protecting democracy.
Angela Rayner condemned Boris Johnson's resignation as part of the latest stage of Tory turmoil
PA"He is demonstrating what freedom of speech and taking the responsibility of the outcome looks like in action.
"I believe in our values. The ones we try to champion for all around the globe. Freedom of speech has value if its used.
"You don't have to agree with him. Saying what we think, even when it may be controversial to many, is why the UK maintains a reputation globally for freedom.
"Trying to cancel or shut him up is the real battleground here.
"He is taking the fall out that comes from his choice to use his voice and to protect the party from having to vote.
Boris Johnson 'jumped before he was pushed', an ally has suggested
PA"It should spell far fewer problems for the party as a result of his decision."
A Tory Party insider also warned: "Boris has a lot to answer for."
Johnson's resignation came just hours after staunch ally Nadine Dorries quit as the MP for Mid Bedfordshire.
The ex-Culture Secretary was notably absent from the former Prime Minister's resignation honours list and spectacularly u-turned on whether to leave the Commons before the next general election.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper
PA
Despite Conservative MPs voicing support for the former Prime Minister, leading opposition figures have welcomed his decision to leave the House of Commons.
Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner said: “The British public are sick to the back teeth of this never ending Tory soap opera played out at their expense.
“After thirteen years of Conservative chaos, enough is enough.
“It’s time to turn the page with a fresh start for Britain with a Labour Government focused on the people’s priorities of tackling the cost of living crisis and building a better future.”
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper simply said: "Good riddance."
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf added: "People are struggling just to get by and put food on the table.
"Instead of tackling the cost-of-living crisis, Westminster is consumed with this third-rate political soap opera.
"The sooner Scotland becomes independent, and gets rid of unelected Tory Governments for good, the better."
