Ashby MP Andrew Bridgen has publicly withdrawn his letter of no confidence in Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

A report in the Telegraph says that the Ukraine crisis is the main reason for his about-turn.

He originally made his feelings known during the controversy created by the 'Partygate' scandal over social gatherings at No10 during the Covid lockdown.

At a Telegraph event on Wednesday, Mr Bridgen, the MP for North West Leicestershire, said that it would be an "indulgence" to hold a vote of no confidence during the war.

Speaking on stage at the panel event, titled "How will history judge Boris Johnson?", Mr Bridgen said he was "appalled by partygate" - but that the current climate was "no time for warfare within the Conservative Party".

Mr Bridgen made it clear it was not the time to call for a leadership battle and said: "It would be an indulgence to have a vote of no confidence at the time of an international emergency, and this is not going to go away quickly.

"We need Boris Johnson where he is, leading the country."

Mr Bridgen, announced on January 13 that he had submitted a letter of no confidence after revelations emerged of Downing Street parties held during lockdown,

He is the second MP to have publicly rescinded his letter to the 1922 Committee.

Last week Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, said that Mr Johnson deserved his support during the Ukraine crisis, as he announced that he had withdrawn his own letter of no confidence.

Thirteen MPs went public with letters of no confidence in the Prime Minister over the scandal, although the true number - which includes letters submitted in private - could be much higher.

Writing for The Telegraph at the time, Mr Bridgen condemned a "moral vacuum at the heart of government".

The prominent Brexiteer backed Johnson to be leader in June 2019, and said that the Prime Minister's position had become "untenable", adding: "Leadership is not just about the job title, or even making big decisions – it is equally about having a moral compass, of knowing not just right from left but right from wrong."

Urging the Prime Minister to stand down, Mr Bridgen added: "If Boris truly loves our country, our democracy and our party he should go now with some semblance of grace."

He felt the Prime Minister would be gone within 'two or three months' and said: "That would be acceptable, and that would draw a line under the matter.

"If he left politics, he will leave with a great deal of gratitude from a large proportion of our population for the efforts that he's done on our behalf, delivering Brexit, getting us out of the pandemic."