Tory infighting breaks out after former minister calls on Sunak to step down

Simon Clarke challenged Rishi Sunak’s authority (Richard Pohle/The Times)

Tory infighting broke out into the open with senior party figures warning against “divisive self-indulgence” after a former minister called for Rishi Sunak to step down ahead of the UK general election.

Former ministers urged colleagues to put their duty to the country ahead of “tribalism” following a challenge to Mr Sunak’s authority launched by Simon Clarke.