Theresa May is set to ask senior Labour MPs to join a cross-party Brexit commission to smooth Britain's path out of the EU, it has been reported.

Sources close to the Prime Minister claim she is considering inviting Hilary Benn and Yvette Cooper to join the commission.

According to Number 10 sources cited by The Telegraph, the group would 'shadow the work of the Brexit department'.

Sources close to the Prime Minister claim she is considering inviting Yvette Cooper (left) and Hilary Benn (right) to join a new cross-party Brexit commission

Ms Cooper, who has openly backed the idea of a cross-party commission, was quoted by the newspaper as saying: 'We should set up a small cross-party commission to conduct the negotiations, and have a clear and transparent process to build consensus behind the final deal.

'It should be accountable to Parliament but avoid getting caught up in the inevitable hung parliament political rows.'

A recent YouGov poll also found that 51 per cent of people were in favour of a cross-party commission to negotiate Brexit.

The revelation follows an appeal by Ms May for cross-party cooperation on issues such as leaving the EU single market and customs union.

The revelation follows an appeal by Ms May for cross-party cooperation on issues such as leaving the EU single market and customs union

Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street earlier this week, the Prime Minister said: 'The Government has got an ambitious agenda... to address the big challenges that the country faces.

'Of course, one of those is getting the Brexit negotiations right, but there are other challenges we face as a country too.

'I think the public will rightly want us to get the broadest possible consensus in looking at those issues.'

But the Labour leader took a swipe at the PM as they faced off in the Commons later, saying she had 'run out of ideas' and demanding a fresh election.

'Let's face it, the Government has run out of steam and at a pivotal moment in our country and the world, amid uncertainty over Brexit, conflict in the Gulf states, nuclear sabre-rattling over North Korea, refugees continuing to flee war and destruction, ongoing pandemics, cross-border terrorism, poverty and inequality, and the impact of climate change are the core global challenges of our time,' he said.

'Just when we need strong Government, we have weakness from this Government.'

Mrs May is seeking to shore up her leadership amid renewed speculation she could face a challenge within months.

Former Tory chief whip Andrew Mitchell has not denied report that he told a private meeting of MPs that the PM had lost all authority and must quit.

Downing Street has also been forced to deny rumours she could quit this summer.

The Prime Minister revealed this week that she shed 'a little tear' when she heard the shock exit poll which predicted the election disaster.

Ms May said her husband Philip broke the news to her and gave her a hug to comfort her.

The Prime Minister, who marked her first anniversary as PM on Thursday, said the news came as a 'complete shock' and said she was 'devastated' by the verdict.

She told Emma Barnett on BBC Radio 5 Live that she did not watch the exit poll because 'I have a little bit of superstition about things like that'.

When her husband Philip came in to break the news to her, Mrs May said she 'didn't see the result coming' and it 'took a few minutes for it to sink in'.

She added: 'My husband gave me a hug and I got on the phone to CCHQ (Conservative Campaign Headquarters).'

She said it was 'hard' for her husband to come and tell her the devastating news, and said he 'has been a huge support for me'.

Asked if she cried after discovering the result, she said: 'Yes, a little tear.'