Amber Rudd is trying to save Philip Hammond from the sack, a former Tory Cabinet minister has suggested.

The Home Secretary appears to have been inadvertently outed as the Chancellor’s defender with Ms Rudd apparently “appalled” at Brexiteer plots calling for him to be fired.

Nicky Morgan, the former education secretary, said she had been contacted by a “very senior Cabinet minister” who was furious at those urging Theresa May to get rid of Mr Hammond.