A second Cabinet source said defending the Prime Minister’s handling of the allegations against Mr Pincher was “soul-destroying”, while a third said it was “a bit like getting punched in the face”.
One told The Telegraph that junior ministers were likely to be “kicked out” in interviews as their more senior cabinet colleagues were likely to try to “pull rank” and refuse to go on air.
“Most have already done their fair share of harrowing interviews – you may discover more with visits to the dentist or the loss of a loved one this week,” they said.
It is also understood that several Tory MPs have contacted the Whips office demanding that the Prime Minister make it clear that Mr Pincher should resign from Parliament and asking them to ensure they do not bring the whip back.
“I think most of us sent messages asking him to lose the whip,” said one player from the back bench. “Many of us said he should resign in full immediately.
The prime minister is under increasing pressure to explain how much he knew about claims against Mr Pincher before appointing him as deputy chief whip in February.
Six new allegations emerged over the weekend about the MP, who resigned from his government role on Thursday after allegations he groped two men at a private members’ club in London.
Mr Johnson will face questions on Wednesday from the liaison committee of senior MPs, who are expected to ask him about his handling of the latest allegations against Mr Pincher and his appointment to the Whips’ office.
Also on Wednesday, in a new threat to the Prime Minister’s leadership, elections will begin for the 1922 backbench executive committee. If the Tory rebels are voted in, they could change the rules that currently prevent another vote of no confidence in 12 months.
The anger among cabinet ministers comes after Therese Coffey, the work and pensions minister, endured a series of embarrassing television interviews on Sunday about the prime minister’s knowledge of Mr Pincher’s behaviour.
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