The idea that the country could face yet another election ‘hadn’t occurred’ to the Prime Minister.

After 41% of Boris Johnson’s own MPs urged him to go in a confidence vote, questions had surrounded whether UK residents would be asked for their own opinion.

Mr Johnson has insisted to reporters that the idea of an early election ‘hasn’t occurred to me’ but refused to rule out calling a snap poll.

He said he would not ‘start talking about politics’ at a time when he was dealing with cost-of-living pressures and the war in Ukraine.

When questioned, the Prime Minister repeatedly failed to rule out the prospect of going to the country before the next scheduled election in 2024.

Asked whether he was ruling out an early election he said: ‘I’m just saying, I don’t comment on those sorts of things.’

He added: ‘The idea hadn’t occurred to me, if you really want the truth, because I’m focused on getting through the cost-of-living pressures, developing and improving, widening, our plan for a stronger economy, and making sure that we continue to offer leadership on some of the tough global issues the world faces.’

Asked if he was leaning towards a snap election he said: ‘I am not offering commentary, what I’m trying to get over to you is that I’m here to comment on policy, on the agenda of government.’

Speaking on Sky News this morning, foreign secretary Liz Truss also refused to comment on a potential snap election.

‘We’re thinking about getting on with the job,’ she told Kay Burley.

She added the government was focusing on challenges such as the aftershocks of the covid pandemic and not ‘speculating on elections.’

But according to reports, Tories are considering a snap election if Sir Keir Starmer quits as Labour leader over his so-called ‘Beergate’ episode.

Sir Keir has been under pressure from senior Conservative MPs over allegations he broke Covid-19 rules in Durham last April, when he was filmed having a drink and a curry with colleagues.

While the Labour leader awaits the outcome of Durham Constabulary’ probe, the Conservative Party are allegedly hatching a plan on how to exploit the result and a potential leadership battle in the opposition.

In Madrid, Mr Johnson has told reporters his previous occupation as a journalist allowed him freedom he no longer has when it comes to speaking about politics.

‘Do you know what, I’ve realised where I’ve been going wrong with all this,’ he said.

‘I’ve got to recognise that years and years ago, I used to do the kind of jobs that you all do now, and it was a great, great life and a great privilege.

‘What you are able to do is offer opinion, commentary, analysis, predictions about politics, about individuals and so on.

‘I think I’ve got to recognise I’m no longer a member of that sacred guild.

‘It would be a demarcation dispute for me to cross over and start talking about politics.

‘I’ve got to talk about my programme for government, about policy, and what I’m doing to take the country forward.’

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Details of an investigation into claims of bullying at Buckingham Palace will not be made public.

An independent inquiry had been launched in response to allegations made about Meghan Markle.

It was previously reported that she ‘drove out’ two personal assistants and that staff were ‘humiliated’ on several occasions.

She had been accused of bullying staff before she moved to California with Prince Harry as the pair quit as working royals.

Royal experts had claimed the allegations had led to a row between the couple and Prince William who was allegedly ‘appalled’ at the allegations.

Meghan and Harry both refuted the claims and later told Ophra Winfrey that Buckingham Palace was using the media to ‘peddle a wholly false narrative’.

While its full findings won’t be made public, the investigation into the handling of the bullying allegations made against the Duchess of Sussex has seen HR policies improved for royal staff.

The confidentiality of those who took part in the independent review is reportedly the reason why details were not released.

A senior palace source said: ‘I’m not going to comment on the changes that have been made to the policies and procedures – I’ll just say that the policies and procedures have been updated.

‘Because of the confidentiality of the discussions we have not communicated the detailed recommendations.

‘The recommendations have been incorporated within policies and procedures wherever appropriate and policies and procedures have changed.’

The issue was raised during a media briefing about the Sovereign Grant which showed the monarchy cost the taxpayer 102.4 million during 2021/22 – an increase of £14.9 million, or 17%, on the previous financial year.

Royal activity, curtailed by the pandemic, was beginning to pick up during the period and a number of expenditure areas have increased, with travel rising by £1.3 million to £4.5 million, and property maintenance soaring by £14.4 million to £63.9 million, as the 10-year project to renovate Buckingham Palace continued.

The Sovereign Grant increased marginally by £400,000 to £86.3 million during the 2021/22 period.

A core element of £51.8 million funds the Queen’s official duties and her household, and an additional £34.5 million pays for ongoing reservicing costs for the palace.

The report also outlines the royal household’s ‘Concern at Work’ policy which encourages individuals to raise any concerns they may have about the conduct of others with the policy accessible to staff on the intranet site – known as the Coronet.

The financial document also states: ‘Counselling and support are provided through the household’s long-established employee assistance programme and staff have been trained to be Mental Health First Aiders… Managers are trained to support, mentor and coach their teams and monitor their contribution…’

The most expensive official trip revealed in the Sovereign Grant media briefing was the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s visit to Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas in March.

Prince William and Kate took the Voyager minister jet which cost £226,383 and included the cost of a planning trip to the three countries by royal staff.

The couple received a warm welcome in the Caribbean but faced protests from those calling for an apology and reparations for slavery, and were criticised for certain elements of the tour deemed to hark back to colonial days.

Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, has called for what it claims is the ‘true cost of the monarchy’ to be reported in the accounts.

Graham Smith, from Republic, said: ‘Can this expenditure be justified? Can we get a head of state that costs less than this, so we can spend that money elsewhere?

‘Why is the monarchy not facing significant cuts while essential public services have been cut time and again over the past decade? Is this an ethical use of public money? What else could we afford for that amount?’

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were contacted for a response.

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