Tories expel Julian Lewis from parliamentary party after he becomes chair of intelligence committee

Mr Johnson had faced criticism over the delay in appointing the committee, which has not met since the last parliament was dissolved in November.

The committee has yet to publish its long-awaited report into Russian interference in UK politics after Mr Johnson refused to clear it for release before the general election.

Former Tory Cabinet minister and ex-chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee, Dominic Grieve, told the BBC's Newsnight: "What troubles me about this episode, quite apart from its utter absurdity, and now withdrawing the whip from Julian, who is indeed highly respected, is the mind-set it gives about what on earth is going on in Downing Street.

"The committee can only exist, the committee can only be respected... if it is seen to be non-partisan and independent."

Dr Lewis is the Swansea-born son of a tailor. In 2007 he resigned his life membership of the Oxford Union debating society in protest at the decision to invite Holocaust denier David Irving and then BNP leader Nick Griffin to speak at an event.

A military and defence expert, he has written on the dangers of Middle Eastern military intervention to help overthrow President Assad in Syria.