Steve Baker is one of 28 Tory Eurosceptics who stood firm in MPs’ third vote on Theresa May’s deal

The arch-Eurosceptic MP Steve Baker has announced that he will stand for the Tory leadership if other Brexiteers vote for Theresa May’s deal to leave the EU.

In a warning shot at Boris Johnson and Dominic Raab, the Brexiteer frontrunners to succeed May, Baker said they must oppose the second reading of the government’s withdrawal bill or face a challenge.

After resigning from the cabinet to oppose May’s deal and twice voting against it, both Johnson and Raab reluctantly backed her agreement when MPs were asked to vote for a third time. Only 28 Tory Eurosceptics, including Baker, stood firm.

Allies of Johnson and Raab fear that the Brexiteer vote will be split because Esther McVey has said she will run and Andrea Leadsom is