The Prime Minister's chief Brexit negotiator has reportedly claimed that MPs will be presented with a choice between her deal or a lengthy delay.

Oliver Robbins was overheard in a hotel bar by an ITV reporter telling colleagues that "in the end" Brussels will "probably just give us an extension" to Article 50.

He suggested the Prime Minister will try to win support for her deal by warning MPs that if they fail to vote for it the delay to Brexit is likely to be a "long one".

His comments appear to rule out a no-deal Brexit, despite the Prime Minister's repeated insistence that it remains on the table.

Mr Robbins is also said to have made a joke at the expense of Geoffrey Cox, the Attorney General who has been drafted in to assist with Brexit negotiations.

He allegedly recounted a conversation with Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, in which he said he had spent an hour with Mr Cox.