Boris Johnson: I see no evidence of a blackmail conspiracy

Boris Johnson said he had seen "no evidence" of blackmail within his party following accusations from his lawmakers. William Ragg, who called for the Prime Minister to resign from the No ten party, said the conspirators faced lousy publicity and cut voter funding.

He advised colleagues who felt threatened to report to the police. Former Labor Tory MP Christian Wakeford also said he had been threatened with school funding. Johnson told reporters: "I haven't seen any evidence [and] I haven't heard any evidence."

Labor Deputy Leader Angela Raynor called the accusations "shocking," and Democratic leader Sir Ed Davey accused Johnson of "acting more like a mob boss than a prime minister."

But Culture Minister Nadine Doris accused Wragg of "considerate behavior" and called the allegations "nonsense." Johnson faces attempts by some Tory lawmakers to oust him from the Downing Street lockdown party leader.

He urged potential rebels to await the results of an investigation into officer Sue Gray, who is expected to be sentenced next week.

But in a sign of the deteriorating relationship between Mr. Johnson and his crooks, Mr. Wragg launched a violent attack on the Government's handling of dissent among Tory MPs.

Speaking to a local council commission she chaired, lawmaker Hazel Grove accused government whips -- lawmakers in charge of party discipline -- of threatening suspects of conspiracy to cut off government investment in their constituency.

He also said he had received reports from ministers, advisers, and government officials at Number 10 "encouraging the publication of stories in the media seeking to humiliate them" suspected of distrusting the prime minister.

Mr. Wragg said the reports "appear to be blackmail" - and that the lawmaker concerned should contact the mayor in addition to getting the police. Cabinet Secretary Stephen Barkley, who attended the commission's meeting, said he would raise the Government's concerns.

After his appearance, Wakeford, who joined Labor on Thursday, said he was threatened with supporting the Government when he became a Tory MP.

Analysis box by Chris Mason, the political correspondent

Black books and dark art, soft words and not too soft words. One of the others whispered privately that Mr. Rag was tired and had been talking openly about the Prime Minister for a long time.

And some say things like that in public. It's a reminder that while the impending pressure on Boris Johnson has eased so far, the anger and fury this feud has generated is still genuine and very much alive.

Community spokesman Sir Lindsay Hoyle said "serious allegations" had been made, and MPs should write to him with concern. He said government ministers and those who work for them "are not above the penal code" after Wragg said lawmakers concerned about possible blackmail should contact Sofia police.

But the chairman added: "Investigating suspected criminal behavior is a police matter, and the prosecution decision rests with the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service].