Johnson makes staff changes amid strife

More Conservative Party lawmakers expected to demand confidence vote

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to make further changes to his Downing Street team this week amid ongoing pressure from Conservative Party backbench politicians who have called for him to resign.

The prime minister promised there would be changes in how Number 10 operates amid the fallout from the "Partygate" scandal involving social events at Downing Street while COVID-19 restrictions were in place.

A number of Johnson's backroom staff resigned last week after the initial findings of the Sue Gray report into lockdown socializing in government buildings were published.

Gray's report said Downing Street lockdown gatherings represented a "serious failure" and were "difficult to justify".

Over the weekend, Cabinet Office Minister Steve Barclay was appointed new chief of staff, while former Johnson aide and ex-BBC journalist Guto Harri has been given the role of director of communications.

It is understood that discussions for the role of chief whip have also been held, with senior figures in the frame, said the BBC.The Times reported that Emily Lawson, who currently runs England's vaccination program, is likely to be named Number 10's new permanent secretary, which is a senior civil servant role.

The Daily Mail reported that a number of Conservative Party backbenchers could still put in letters demanding a confidence vote in Johnson's leadership before the House of Commons begins a 10-day break on Thursday.

A confidence vote would be triggered if the chairman of the 1922 Committee, Graham Brady, receives letters calling for a leadership vote from 54 members of Parliament, or 15 percent of the parliamentary party.

Sky News reported that a total 14 MPs have now called for the prime minister to step down, but that not all have formally communicated this with a letter to Brady.

Johnson's allies have urged critics within the party to focus on delivering election promises rather than on trying to oust their leader.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told the BBC on Sunday that Johnson must be given "time and space" to carry out his 2019 election manifesto pledges.

"The prime minister only two years ago got a majority of 80, which was the largest majority of any Conservative leader since 1987," Kwarteng said.

"He's got a mandate, he's got a serious range of problems to deal with and I think it's the job of Cabinet ministers and the parliamentary party to give him time and space to lead."

The prime minister's new director of policy, MP Andrew Griffith, has laid out priorities for the new look Number 10 team.

Writing on the Conservative Home website, he said the policy unit would seek to grow employment, cut the health service backlog, control borders, make the streets safer and bring down the cost of living.

He promised Number 10 would take a "light touch approach" with government departments if they are "high-performing".

Griffith said: "A large majority is a poor substitute for proper engagement between ministers, Number 10 and backbench colleagues who, in many cases, possess decades of relevant experience.

"The 1922 backbench policy committees-one covering each major government department-will form just one part of changes in how a sleeker Number 10 operation engages with members of Parliament."