The Foreign Secretary was asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if he would back no deal or a Brexit delay in the event MPs reject Theresa May's divorce deal next week.

His answer suggested he would not vote for a no deal departure from the EU.

He said: “I have always said I have thought whatever happens in this negotiation we are a strong, successful country and we would find a way to prosper but I also think that no deal would cause huge disruption and I don’t think anyone in the Cabinet wants no deal.

“What we want is a deal… if this deal doesn’t go through then the only solution is to find a deal that will go through.

“That is the only way that we are going to solve this issue and that is why all of our effort must be on making sure we can get the changes we need so we get it through.”

Mr Hunt would not be drawn on whether he believed that vote should be whipped or if there should be a free vote. Tory Brexiteers want the vote to be whipped in favour of keeping no deal on the table.

He said: “I think that is something the Government has to make a decision on, the Prime Minister has to make a decision on.