Backbench Tories head to Downing Street for face-off with Boris Johnson after 'a dozen MPs hand in letters of No Confidence in PM' - as Rishi Sunak is named 'politician of the year' in further sign of the Chancellor's political ascendancy

• The Chancellor was named Politician of the Year by the Spectator magazine 
• Came as PM struggles through the mire of rows over sleaze, care and migrants 
• Tory backbench leaders met Mr Johnson in Downing Street this afternoon 

Boris Johnson faced senior Tory backbenchers at No10 today amid claims he is losing his grip on the party in the wake of weeks of political battering.

The 17-strong executive of the 1922 Committee had talks with the Prime Minister this afternoon amid an alarming slump in his popularity with voters.

Mr Johnson is struggling to escape the quicksand of ongoing crises over Tory sleaze, social care costs and migrants dying in the English Channel.

The premier suffered another blow as a Savanta ComRes poll last night suggested the chaos is cutting through to voters, with his net favourability score dropping to minus 14, its lowest ever.

The chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady, confirmed that the executive had met the Prime Minister in No 10 but declined to comment on their discussions.

Reports suggest as many as a dozen letters of no confidence in Mr Johnson's leadership have been submitted to him - far short of the 54 required under party rules to trigger a vote on his leadership.

It came as Chancellor Rishi Sunak was given a top accolade by the Conservative Party's Bible. He was named Politician of the Year by the Spectator magazine - which the Prime Minister once edited. 

Sunak was among a host of MPs from all parties at the Rosewood Hotel in London's West End, which came as

The relationship between the occupant of No10 and Mr Sunak in No11 is the subject of much discussion amid rumours their relationship has soured.

The meeting comes after a difficult few weeks for Mr Johnson which began with his botched attempt to overhaul the Commons standards rules for MPs leading to renewed accusations of Tory 'sleaze'.

It was followed by criticisms that long-awaited announcements on rail improvements for the North and Midlands and the funding of adult social care in England failed to match previous promises.

It culminated with his rambling speech to the CBI in which Mr Johnson mislaid part of his text and talked about his visit to the Peppa Pig World theme park.

There have been reports the Tory whips believe a number of MPs have submitted letters of no confidence in Mr Johnson to Sir Graham - although they remain far short of the 54 required under party rules to trigger a vote on his leadership.

Meanwhile, Downing Street has sought to play down reports of tensions between Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak.

The Times reported that Mr Sunak was becoming increasingly frustrated with the 'chaotic' operation in No 10.

The newspaper said the Chancellor's chief of staff, Liam Booth-Smith, was being blamed for briefing that there was 'a lot of concern in the building' about Mr Johnson.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman insisted that the teams in No 10 and No 11, where the Chancellor is based, 'continue to work together very well at all levels'.

Asked if the Prime Minister had confidence in Mr Booth-Smith, the spokesman said: 'Of course, the Prime Minister has confidence in the team at No 11. They work very closely together delivering on the public's priorities.'

Accepting his award, Mr Sunak thanked the Spectator for repaying money it was given through the furlough scheme, and joked 'just another £399 billion left to go', the magazine reported.