It comes as MPs including outspoken critics of his premiership report being contacted by Mr Johnson as he attempts to persuade them not to trigger a leadership contest by submitting the necessary 54 letters to Sir Graham Brady, the 1922 backbench committee chairman.
‘Wives have a life of their own’
In the cold light of day, Plymouth Moor View MP Mr Mercer, who had watched Plymouth Argyle lose to Chelsea and England lose to Scotland, posted: “In other breaking news, wives have a mind and a life of their own.
“She’s on this nuts journey with me – the highs and many lows. She is more than entitled to take the p— out of me/the PM/whoever she likes.”
Mrs Cornelius-Mercer later tweeted: