Boris Johnson has been told it would be “mad” to extend face mask rules beyond Jan 26 as Tory MPs warned doing so could spark a “three-figure rebellion”.

Mr Johnson is widely expected to scrap regulations on Covid passports and guidance to work from home in England next Wednesday, when “Plan B” restrictions are reviewed. It is possible that an announcement on these measures could come as soon as this week.

However, the Government is understood to be considering retaining some rules on face masks beyond the end of the month.

The proposal would require a Commons vote, as the powers used to introduce the current rules – which oblige people to wear masks in most public indoor settings – expire next Wednesday. On Monday, a series of Tory MPs urged Mr Johnson to rule it out.

Tory Lee Anderson, the MP for Ashfield, urged the Prime Minister to switch from legal rules to voluntary guidance, saying: “I’m of the mind, as a Conservative, that people can make their own minds up if they want to wear a face mask.”

The “Red Wall” MP said he would happily continue to put on a face covering voluntarily while using the London Underground “if hundreds of people are crammed in”, saying that would be “sensible”.

But Mr Anderson questioned why the rules should apply to quieter public transport situations, adding: “If one person is on a bus, why should they wear a face mask?” He confirmed that he would vote against an extension if one were brought to the Commons.

Tory MP Bob Blackman, who sits on the 1922 committee executive, said: “I don’t see any point in having rules that everyone is ignoring.”