Ruth Davidson tells Tory plotters to 'put up, shut up and get off stage'
2 min read
Ruth Davidson has laid down the gauntlet to critics of Theresa May, telling them to "put up, shut up and get off stage".
The Scottish Conservative leader tore into coup coordinator Grant Shapps, saying a serious rebellion would be "led by someone a bit more serious".
"I have to say, I've not got much time for them, [there are] an awful lot of people in our party who need to settle down," Ms Davidson told BBC Radio 4's Political Thinking podcast.
"I think if the plotters were serious, they would be led by someone a bit more serious," she added - in a clear swipe at the former party chairman.
Ms Davidson was equally withering when asked about her Tory colleague this morning, telling ITV’s Peston on Sunday: “I think calling it a coup is perhaps flattering Mr Shapps a little bit.”
The Scottish Conservative leader, who has transformed her party's fortunes north of the border since becoming leader, also suggested on the Radio 4 podcast that there was a degree of sexism in the way the Prime Minister was being treated.
"One of the irritants over the last couple of days, for me, particularly as a woman, is this idea that all of these men are supposed to be making decisions on Theresa May's behalf," she said.
"Well, have they actually met Theresa May? This is a woman with agency, with grit, with determination. I backed her in the leadership, I back her now and I will back her in the future."
Elsewhere Boris Johnson texted colleagues telling them to "get behind" Mrs May after a week of speculation about her future.
In a message to a WhatsApp group of Tory colleagues, the Foreign Secretary wrote: "We have JUST HAD AN ELECTION and people are fed up with all this malarkey.
"Get behind the PM. Ordinary punters I have spoken to thought her speech was good and anyone can have a cold."
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