Boris Johnson has been warned that he faces the biggest rebellion of his premiership over new Covid restrictions, as Tory MPs insist there is “no justification for these restrictions upon liberty”.

By Thursday night, almost 30 backbenchers had condemned the latest Plan B rules and indicated their intention to join a revolt when the measures are put to a vote next Tuesday. 

Their numbers are expected to grow in coming days – and anger was not confined to the back benches, with predictions rife that ministers may quit as the backlash grows.

Wider questions about Mr Johnson’s leadership have begun to arise during a week of turmoil for Number 10.

In recent days, two Tory MPs representing “Red Wall” seats told a meeting of colleagues they were thinking about sending letters of no confidence in the Prime Minister to Sir Graham Brady, the 1922 committee chairman, The Telegraph understands.

Ahead of a vote on the new Covid rules next week, Downing Street sought to try and dampen the Tory rebellion by announcing on Thursday that they will be reviewed on Jan 5 and will automatically expire on Jan 26.

It comes after John Redwood, a former Cabinet minister, said he expected “a record number of Conservative MPs to vote against these latest restrictions”, writing on Twitter: “Many more this time round do not think a good case has been made.”