Amber Rudd, the work and pensions secretary, is one of five cabinet ministers understood to have raised the issue of a second referendum

Five cabinet ministers are leaning towards a second referendum if MPs cannot agree a Brexit plan in the next month, The Times understands.

David Lidington, David Gauke, Amber Rudd, Philip Hammond and Greg Clark are understood to have stepped up discussions over whether to send the issue back to the public.

All five cabinet ministers, who are loyal to Mrs May, are not ready to commit to a second referendum and could still embrace an alternative deal to leave the EU.

They want the prime minister to reschedule the meaningful vote on her deal as early as possible, however, possibly in the week beginning January 14, to allow MPs time to vote on alternative options. If MPs fail to reach a consensus, then the ministers