‘Operation Rinka’: rebel Tories up pressure on Boris Johnson to resign

Nicknamed after dog shot in Thorpe affair, plan afoot to oust PM over Downing Street parties scandal

Rebel Tories are upping pressure on Boris Johnson to quit over the Downing Street parties scandal, with one naming the plan Operation Rinka" in reference to the dog killed in the Jeremy Thorpe affair in the 1970s.

While Downing Street insiders have reportedly devised a plan to sack officials and save Johnson, referred to as Operation Save Big Dog", some Tory MPs are stepping up pressure on colleagues to submit letters of no confidence in the prime minister.

Join our journalists for a Guardian Live online event on the No 10 lockdown party and Boris Johnson's future on Wednesday 19 January. Book here