Theresa May was overcome by coughing during her speech to end a conference tainted by ministerial squabbling

Plans to oust Theresa May are being discussed by Tory MPs following her shambolic conference speech, a former minister revealed this morning.

Ed Vaizey, Tory MP for Wantage and an ex-arts minister, told the BBC that “quite a few people are firmly of the view she should resign” after the calamitous end to the party conference.

In her hour-long keynote address yesterday the prime minister struggled with a cough and lost her voice, was handed a P45 by a prankster, and was further humiliated as the stage set began to fall apart behind her.

Mr Vaizey’s intervention came after Mark Pritchard, Tory MP for The Wrekin, yesterday disclosed that colleagues were testing the mood of the parliamentary party in the aftermath of the episode and