More than 30,000 people support call to ban David Cameron from returning to UK from holiday

Turbulence in the Tory ranks may be fast dropping down the list of David Cameron's concerns, as a petition to ban him from re-entering the UK has attracted more than 30,000 signatures. The prime minister is currently in Lanzarote for the Easter break and has faced criticism for jetting off to the Canary Islands while urging Brits to holiday in the north of England.

The online petition was launched by Kerry-anne Mendoza, an independent journalist and former NHS consultant from Farnborough. It reads: "David Cameron presents a clear and present danger to the short, medium and long term interests of the country. As such, the UK should institute a temporary ban on his return to Britain at the conclusion of his holiday in Lanzarote."

Addressing the signatories, Mendoza said: "Thank you for getting involved and making this something that has caught the attention of so many. David Cameron does present a clear and present danger to Britain, and that's what you are all helping to highlight." She added: "So keep up the pressure. Promote the petition."

The campaign gathered momentum after Mendoza wrote a satirical article for her website, which said: "The Prime Minister is under pressure after a fortnight which has seen a revolt by Conservative MPs over proposed cuts to disability support, and the shock resignation of Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith. But further anger came when the PM dropped a bombshell privatisation announcement before catching a plane to Lanzarote for the Easter holidays."

The petition is addressed to Home Secretary Theresa May, a key political ally of Cameron. May would have the final say in the matter, meaning that the chances of preventing Cameron from coming back to the UK are highly unlikely at best.

Cameron has had a string of political headaches to deal with of late, with deep divides in the Conservative party over the EU referendum and a controversial Budget which sparked the resignation of Iain Duncan Smith as the work and pensions secretary.

Cameron's woes are set to be compounded by further strike action from junior doctors on 26 and 27 April. The fierce dispute has prompted The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges to warn that "this is a time of unprecedented crisis for the NHS."