A County Durham Conservative MP has hit back against rumours she is planning to defect from the Tory party following damning by-election results last week.

Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davison has hit out at colleagues she says have been spreading rumours about her defecting from the Conservative party in an attempt to quash them.

In a Tweet on Monday (June 27) morning Davison said: “For the avoidance of doubt - again - I’m not bloody defecting.

“To those anonymous colleagues spreading such rumours, my door is always open for a chat.”

Read more: By-election results: Darlington MP backing PM Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson is facing increasing pressure following the double by-election defeat in Wakefield, Yorkshire and Tiverton and Honiton, Devon further fuelled by the shock resignation of party chair Oliver Dowden stood down in the wake of the losses early on Friday morning.

Earlier this month Davison announced she had voted against Boris Johnson in a vote of no confidence.

At the time she said: “Many of you have understandably asked how I intended to vote in this evening’s confidence ballot on the Prime Minister.

“Though it is a secret ballot, it feels right to share with you how I voted.

“This is not a decision I took lightly. I listened carefully to all sides, and particularly to the many constituents who contacted me sharing their thoughts and experiences.

“Weighing it all up, I voted against the Prime Minister tonight.”

Read more: North East Tory MPs who would lose their seats at election

The Prime Minister survived the no confidence vote on June 6 by securing the support of 211 of his MPs although 148 voted against him.

There are now rumours there may be a change in the rules of the 1922 Committee of Conservative MPs to allow another vote of confidence in Mr Johnson within the next year.

Dehenna Davison was elected as the first Conservative MP for Bishop Auckland in 2019 and has become a prominent face in the party and broadcaster on GB News.

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