Priti Patel is among three Cabinet ministers predicted to lose their jobs for not supporting Dominic Cummings.
No10 ordered ministers to tweet backing for Boris Johnson ’s top aide as the public exploded with outrage over his flouting of lockdown.
But the Home Secretary, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and International Trade boss Liz Truss ignored the command. Now they face being ousted in the PM’s Cabinet reshuffle expected next month.
A senior Tory MP said: “They were told their future careers would be affected if they didn’t do it.”
Mr Cummings drove 260 miles to Durham as he was about to succumb to the disease.
More than seven in 10 voters in our exclusive Redfield & Wilton Strategies poll today say Mr Johnson should have fired him.
Tory MPs are also hoping to see the back of Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg after his shambolic handling of Parliament’s return last week.
He made them stand in a conga line stretching half a mile to vote.
A former minister said: “Remote voting was working perfectly well. Jacob is the great road block to reform.”
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Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick and Welfare Secretary Thérèse Coffey are also expected to face the axe.
Paymaster General and former Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt is tipped for a return to the Cabinet after falling out with Mr Johnson during Theresa May ’s premiership.
And there are likely promotions for Environment minister Victoria Prentis and Arts minister Caroline Dinenage.
Matt Hancock is safe as the PM does not think he can move the Health Secretary until the pandemic is over.
Another Tory MP said: “The PM is all about saving himself as we emerge from Covid-19.
"The only way he can do it is with a Cabinet more competent than the present one.”