Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has dismissed calls for Boris Johnson to  remain in office following his fine for breaching Covid laws.

Her remarks come after a flurry of Conservative MPs have hastened to suggest a leadership challenge would be unwise as the Ukraine crisis rumbles on.

“People will have a chance at the next election to decide whether they want a Labour government or a Conservative government. But you will know it is not unusual to change a prime minister during the course of the parliament. We did it in the last parliament, for example, when Boris Johnson became prime minister, “ Reeves explained on Times Radio earlier today.

The opposition frontbencher went on: “I would argue the exact opposite because the government are struggling to focus on the issues of the day because they have become mired in this saga of lies and cover up.”

“We need fresh leadership because this government, this prime minister and chancellor, have lost their moral authority but also because this saga of lies and cover up is making it impossible for them to focus with the laser focus that is needed on the key issues facing us as a country.”

“We have never been in a position before where the prime minister has been found to have broken the law whilst serving in office.

“But more than that he lied, he lied, and he lied again and he lied about the lies, both to the public and also to Parliament.

“He has broken the ministerial code. He has no longer got the moral authority to govern.”