In the exchanges, published by Sky News, a number of MPs discussed the impact of the Brexit minister Lord Frost’s resignation on the “Clean Global Brexit” group chat on Saturday evening.

The health secretary has said he ‘understood’ why Lord Frost has chosen to resign from his role as Brexit minister.

Speaking on Sky’s Trevor Phillips on Sunday, Sajid Javid said: “I’ve had the privilege of working with him now for a couple of years. I think he’s an outstanding public servant and I think that the way Brexit was done and how we achieved those successes, he’s been a central architect of that, so I wish him the best.

“But I do understand his reasons, he’s a principled man, you know, principled people do resign from the government – I know all about that – and that’s something… that’s a decision for him to take.”

Sajid Javid has confirmed that Parliament will be recalled to vote on any new coronavirus restrictions should they be needed.

Asked whether tougher measures are to be introduced, Mr Javid said: “We will do what is necessary – but it has got to be backed up by the data”.

On whether Parliament would be recalled to give approval for new measures, he said: “If, and it’s an if, the Prime Minister has already been clear to parliamentarians, if there was a need to take any further action we would recall Parliament and it would have to be a decision for Parliament. That is only right and proper.”

Speaking to Sky’s Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme, the health secretary added that about 60 per cent of all new cases in England are omicron – but infections are likely to be at least five times higher than official case numbers.

The Health Secretary has said that unvaccinated people “must think of the damage they are doing to society” by not having had their Covid-19 jabs.

Speaking on Sky’s Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme, Sajid Javid urged those who have not been vaccinated against coronavirus to come forward for their injections.

He said 10% of the population – more than five million people – still had not received their jabs, and around nine out of 10 of those needing the most care in hospital were unvaccinated.

Mr Javid said: “I just cannot emphasise enough the impact that they are having on the rest of society.

“They must really think about the damage they are doing to society by… they take up hospital beds that could have been used for someone with maybe a heart problem, or maybe someone who is waiting for elective surgery.

“But instead of protecting themselves and protecting the community they choose not to get vaccinated. They are really having a damaging impact and I just can’t stress enough, please do come forward and get vaccinated.”

Boris Johnson has been warned by a prominent Tory MP that he is running out of time and friends to help deliver on his promises, as the Mail on Sunday reported Brexit minister Lord Frost had resigned.

The newspaper reported it was the introduction of Plan B coronavirus measures that prompted Lord Frost’s decision, including the implementation of Covid passes.

Brexiteer MP Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) warned that Lord Frost’s resignation showed the PM was “running out of time and out of friends to deliver on the promises and discipline of a true Conservative Government”.

He tweeted: “Lord Frost has made it clear, 100 Conservative backbenchers have made it clear, but most importantly so did the people of North Shropshire.”

The culture secretary was booted off a Tory WhatsApp group after defending ‘hero’ Boris Johnson during an exchange over Lord Frost’s resignation as Brexit minister yesterday.

Theresa Villiers, the former Northern Ireland secretary, calls Lord Frost’s exit “very worrying” and MP Andrew Bridgen a “disaster”.

The culture secretary then rushed to the PMs side. She wrote: “The hero is the Prime Minister who delivered Brexit.

“I’m aware as someone said today that regicide is in the DNA of the Conservative party, but a bit of loyalty to the person who won an 83 majority and delivered Brexit wouldn’t go amiss.”

The screenshots – obtained by Sky News – then show MP Steve Baker, former chair of the Brexit-supporting European Research Group, remove Ms Dorries from the group, writing: “Enough is enough” and a thumbs-up emoji of himself.

Good morning, and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of UK politics, where we’ll be providing rolling updates on the latest happenings in Westminster and beyond.