It is understood Mr Gove was one of the first serving cabinet ministers to indicate he was unhappy with the prime minister staying in his post.

The prime minister vowed to "keep going" on Wednesday despite the raft of departures, including the exit of his former health secretary Sajid Javid and chancellor Rishi Sunak.

Politics Hub: Boris Johnson tells cabinet ministers 'no, I'm not going' - live updates

Asked if Mr Gove had paid him a visit, Mr Johnson said he would not be giving a "running commentary".

Mr Johnson has faced a slew of resignations since Tuesday after Downing Street admitted the prime minister had known about allegations of inappropriate behaviour by disgraced MP Chris Pincher in 2019 before hiring him as deputy chief whip in February.

Ministers had previously been sent out to defend Mr Johnson to say he did not know about any "specific" allegations.

Mr Pincher resigned from the role last week after further allegations emerged that he groped two men at a private club in London, and he was later suspended from the Conservative Party.

Former senior civil servant Lord McDonald revealed on Tuesday the prime minister had been told in person of the 2019 allegations, despite what Downing Street was telling the press.

Less than 12 hours later, Mr Javid and Mr Sunak quit, prompting a flurry of junior ministers to announce they too could no longer support Mr Johnson.

Mr Johnson has had a tumultuous relationship with Mr Gove, who torpedoed Mr Johnson's leadership campaign in 2016 when he withdrew his support and decided to run himself.

Mr Gove was joined in telling Mr Johnson it was time to step down by Home Secretary Priti Patel, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis and Welsh Secretary Simon Hart.

Mr Johnson has insisted he will fight for his political future, a move which could trigger further cabinet resignations.

Allies including Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, Brexit Opportunities Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab have indicated their support for Mr Johnson.