BORIS Johnson was last night rocked by sensational claims his aides “blackmailed” rebel MPs – as a top Tory urged those targeted to call the cops.
In a bombshell intervention, William Wragg said party bosses had threatened to cut funding to areas represented by the pork pie plotters.
The senior Tory said these dark arts tactics had “intimidated” backbenchers and broke the law.
His astonishing tirade – made in Parliament – poured yet more petrol on the raging civil war engulfing the Tory Party.
But Boris came out swinging against the claim, insisting he had “seen no evidence” to support the allegation.
While his Cabinet ally and attack dog Nadine Dorries said Mr Wragg was peddling “nonsense” and just “attention seeking”.
As Mr Johnson battles to save his political skin, it was claimed shadowy party enforcers turned the thumb screws on rebels.
Mr Wragg told a House of Commons select committee: “In recent days, a number of Members of Parliament have faced pressures and intimidation from members of the Government because of their declared or assumed desire for a vote of confidence in the party leadership of the Prime Minister.
“It is, of course, the duty of the Government whip’s office to secure the Government’s business in the House of Commons.
“However, it is not their function to breach the ministerial code in threatening to withdraw investments for Members of Parliaments’ constituencies which are funded from the public purse.”
Turncoat MP Christian Wakeford – who this week defected from the Tories to join Labour – said party whips had threatened to cut money for a local school if he did not toe the party line.
He said: “I was threatened that I would not get the school for Radcliffe if I did not vote in one particular way. This is a town that’s not had a high school for the best part of 10 years.
“How would you feel when holding back regeneration of a town for a vote? It didn’t sit comfortably.
“That was really starting to question my place where I was and ultimately to where I am now.”
But a string of Tories accused Mr Wragg – who has publicly demanded Boris quit – of talking rubbish.
Ms Dorries said: “That is nonsense because that is not how government works.
“The whips have no say over what happens in individual constituencies.
“It is just attention-seeking behaviour from William Wragg who has been a constant critic of the Prime Minister, who delivered us the greatest majority since Margaret Thatcher.”
Tory MP Michael Fabricant accused Mr Wragg had “abused his position” to wage a “disgraceful…vendetta against Boris and Brexit”.
Speaking on a visit to Taunton, the PM said: “I’ve seen no evidence to support any of those allegations.
‘NO EVIDENCE’
“What I am focused on is what we’re doing to deal with the number one priority of the British people, which is coming through Covid.”
Boris has been battered by the worst week of his political career.
Newbie Tory MPs – dubbed the pork pie plotters – launched a bid to oust him, while Conservative big beast David Davis twisted the knife by telling the PM in front of a packed House of Commons “In the name of God, no.”
He now faces a nervous wait to see the results of the Sue Gray report into partygate, expected next week.
Many of his own MPs are waiting for the verdict from the Whitehall enforcer before deciding whether to strike and trigger a confidence vote.
After a torrid few weeks, Bojo tried to turn on the charm by inviting rebels to meet with him in his Commons office on Wednesday.
HOAR understands he got MPs in to have a cosy about what they wanted to achieve in Parliament.
He told one MP that he “doesn’t think he did anything wrong” and can see a way back to regain control of his warring party “that involves Sue Gray backing up what I’ve said”, it was claimed.
Tory MP and lockdown rebel Steve Baker yesterday said it looks like “checkmate” against Boris.
He told the BBC’s Political Thinking with Nick Robinson podcast: “It’s a sorry situation we’re in. I’m appalled we’ve reached this position.
‘PUBLIC FURY’
“We didn’t make Boris Johnson Prime Minister for his meticulous grasp of tedious rules but this is appalling and the public are rightly furious.
“At the moment I’m afraid it does look like checkmate. But whether he can save himself, we’ll see.”
In a frank admission, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said Downing Street parties had caused “damage to our democracy”.
But he said it was “right” to wait for the outcome of Ms Gray’s report before sealing the PM’s fate.
And in yet another twist, it was reported Ms Gray had uncovered a bombshell email showing top civil servant Martin Reynolds was warned the event in the Downing Street garden in May 2020 broke lockdown rules.
Meanwhile, Tony Blair warned Britain is hurtling towards a decline not seen since the 1970s as Bojo lacks a “radical” plan for the future.
Sticking the boot into the PM, he said: “We face a steady inexorable compound decline, similar to the 1960s and 1970s.
