However, senior Tories broke cover to urge members to press on. Sir Robert Buckland, the Welsh Secretary, said: “The Prime Minister has stepped down voluntarily. He plays no part in this leadership contest. He is not a candidate.
“The focus is now on uniting the party and winning the next election under a new leader.”
Former minister Steve Baker said it was time for Mr Johnson to step in before the government collapsed in what he described as a “Trump disaster”.
Mr Baker, who is backing Mrs Truss in the leadership race, said: “I would beg members supporting this campaign to think about what would happen if they won and Boris remained Prime Minister – the government would immediately collapse.
“Like it or not, Boris can form a government only because he is retiring. If members continue with this pro-Boris plan, they just get Rishi. Some individuals who don’t like both candidates can’t get us into a Trump disaster with a dysfunctional government.
“I hope that Boris will thank Lord Cruddas for his support but confirm that he must now step down. The UK’s political stability rests on it. I see no other alternative than Boris bursting this bubble before we have another political disaster.
Number 10 declined to comment on Mr Montgomery’s remarks or Lord Cruddas’ campaign.
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