A powerful group of Tory backbenchers in the 1922 Committee is likely to look at changing rules to allow a fresh challenge to Boris Johnson’s authority after the results of the June 23 double by-election.

       The current rules prevent any further confidence votes in the Tory leader until June next year. However, these rules can be changed by a vote from the 1922’s 18-strong executive at any point.

       The result of Monday’s vote will be discussed at the usual meeting on Wednesday. However, any rule change is unlikely to be considered before the Wakefield, and Tiverton and Honiton by-elections on June 23.

       On Tuesday, Tobias Ellwood, a leading backbench critic who harbours leadership ambitions, told Sky News that the 1922 Committee was actively looking to change the rules.

       Asked on Sky News if the rules could be changed, he said: “I understand that’s what the 1922 Committee are looking at, deliberately for this reason.

       “Because if we’re going to have that stay of execution, we are now going to recognise the democratic outcome and support the Prime Minister then let’s give the Prime Minister time to improve.

       “The system can be adjusted to mean the current rule of allowing a prime minister an entire year would be changed.”

       The claim was denied by senior figures close to the 1922 Committee executive. One told The Telegraph: “I am glad that Tobias seems to know what we think. Unless we change the rules, no vote can be triggered until next June.”

       However, the source added that the current rules were only in force “for now”, adding: “We are not going to change the rules a few days after the vote.

       “However, if the by-elections are a disaster there may be a view that the rules need to be changed.”

       The 1922 source also made clear that the rules of when to allow another no confidence vote can only be changed by the committee’s executive. It comprises six officers – led by chairman Sir Graham Brady – and another 12 executive members, although currently there is one vacancy.

       Out of the 17 members of the 1922 Committee officers and executive, who hold Mr Johnson’s future in their hands, six have publicly supported and four publicly opposed the Prime Minister.

       Mr Johnson’s known allies are Gary Sambrook, Karl McCartney, Jason McCartney, Sheryll Murray, Martin Vickers and David Morris.

       All have defended his leadership since the start of the year and insisted he is the best man for the job.

       Meanwhile, some of the PM’s opponents on the Committee include William Wragg, Alicia Kearns, John Stevenson and Mark Pawsey.

       All four called for his resignation over partygate, and – with the exception of Mr Pawsey – confirmed they had submitted letters of no confidence.

       Nusrat Ghani, Bob Blackman, Sir Geoffrey Clinton-Brown and Robert Halfon have all criticised Mr Johnson in recent months. They stopped short of either calling for his departure or voicing outright support.

       A complicating factor in any attempt to change the rules is that elections for the 1922 Committee’s executive must be held before October.

       Any attempt to change the rules during a Parliament will be looked at dimly by 10 Downing St. One senior Number 10 source said: “We could make their lives difficult.”

       It also emerged that the number of no confidence letters in Johnson submitted to Sir Graham Brady are now effectively wiped clean to allow a fresh start.

       Tory MPs are welcome to submit letters of no confidence in the PM but even if the number clears 54 – 15 per cent of the parliamentary party – no vote can take place until June next year, unless the rules are changed.

       The source added: “All those letters that were submitted are history. So it all starts from zero again.”