Senior ministers are "beyond despair" that Andrew Mitchell is still in his job despite his row with a policeman, according to Sky sources.
Sky's deputy political editor Joey Jones says there is an increasing push to oust the Chief Whip because of the clash with an officer in Downing Street in September.
The revelation about the mood at the top of the Tory party comes ahead of two major challenges for Mr Mitchell on what is the first week back in Westminster following the party conferences.
He is set for intense barracking when he attends Prime Minister's Questions this lunchtime and then a few hours later the powerful Conservative 1922 Committee will consider his position.
"The constant and agonising undercurrent for the Conservative Party at the moment is about the position of the Chief Whip. It is becoming a huge preoccupation for MPs and ministers," Joey Jones said.
"Utterly authoritative sources tell me that senior Conservative ministers are beyond despair at the situation, which they can see just dragging on and becoming a huge distraction."
Labour leader Ed Miliband is sure to try and capitalise on the Chief Whip's perilous position during his exchanges with David Cameron at PMQs.
The Opposition has already tabled a motion calling for Mr Mitchell to be docked £1,000 from his salary - roughly the same amount he would have been fined for swearing at an officer.
But the real test is likely to be at the 1922 Committee meeting, which starts at 4pm, where party members will have a chance to state their views.
Mr Mitchell will not attend the session but it is believed that he will meet with the committee's executive afterwards where he will be made aware of the mood.
The senior Tory has been clinging to his job, which he only took on in the recent reshuffle, since it emerged he had rowed with a policeman on September 19.
He ranted at the officer at the Downing Street gates when he was told he could not cycle out of the main entrance.
Mr Mitchell has denied using calling the police "plebs" during the argument but his account conflicts with the official police record.
He failed to quell the row with a lacklustre apology live on Sky News and then stayed away from the Tory conference last week to avoid being a "distraction".
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