Boris Johnson sacks Gove and refuses to quit despite calls from Cabinet 

The action by ministers came as reports suggested cabinet minister Michael Gove had privately told Mr Johnson it was time for him to go

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove (left) speaking at a press conference in Millbank Tower, London, while on the General Election campaign trail.

A defiant Boris Johnson has rejected calls from Cabinet colleagues to quit after support for his leadership collapsed at Westminster.

The British prime minister met ministers in No 10 on Thursday, where he was told he had lost the confidence of the Tory party and could not continue in office.