Brecon and Radnorshire MP Chris Davies has pledged his "full support" to under-fire Prime Minister Theresa May.
Former Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps claimed today around 30 Tory MPs, including five ex-cabinet ministers, are backing his call for a party leadership contest.
But Chris Davies has given his backing for Mrs May – whose showpiece party conference speech earlier this week was blighted by a persistent cough, a prankster’s interruption and a set that fell apart – to carry on leading the country.
The Conservative MP said: "Theresa May has my full support. I am astonished that some MPs are trying to undermine her leadership. We are at a vital point in our nation’s history, negotiating our future with the European Union. It has been just a few months since the general election and Theresa May secured a huge vote share and the largest number of seats.
"I believe the PM is the right person for the job to lead us in this exciting period."
Mrs May has been under pressure since her decision to call a snap election cost the Conservatives the majority David Cameron won at the 2015 election when Mr Davies captured Brecon and Radnorshire from the Liberal Democrats.
Mr Davies increased his majority to just over 8,000 in this June’s poll.
Earlier today Mrs May, attending an event in her constituency, claimed she had the full support of her cabinet.
She said: "What the country needs is calm leadership and that’s what I am providing with the full support of my cabinet."
Mr Shapps, the party’s co-chairman from 2012 to 2015, told the BBC he intended to collect signatures privately and persuade Mrs May to stand down.
But he claimed party whips had named him as the ringleader and told the BBC: "I think it’s time we actually tack this issue of leadership and so do many of my colleagues."
A total of 48 Conservatives MPs are needed to trigger a vote of no confidence in the party leader.