By Daniel Martin PUBLISHED: 19:30 EST, 17 March 2013 | UPDATED: 05:00 EST, 18 March 2013 A veteran Tory MP has become the first to offer to vacate his seat for Boris Johnson - opening the way for a leadership battle with David Cameron. The move by Sir Peter Tapsell comes as UKIP soars again in the polls - reaching 17 per cent, ahead of the Lib Dems, while the Conservatives trail nine points behind Labour. According to Tory MPs, Sir Peter, MP for Louth and Horncastle in Lincolnshire, was asked by the Prime Minister if he would stay on in the Commons until the next election.
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Longest serving MP Peter Tapsell said Boris would be 'an excellent leader'
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Embattled leader David Cameron faces renewed pressure from UKIP
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Tory backbencher Adam Afriyie is also a popular choice to replace Cameron
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