DEFIANT Theresa May tonight insisted she WON'T quit and stuck to her Brexit plan - as her leadership hung by a thread.

The PM vowed to fight "with every fibre of my being" hours after Jacob Rees-Mogg pulled the trigger on a Brexiteer rebellion which could see a leadership challenge next week.

19 Theresa May speaking in 10 Downing Street tonight Credit: PA:Press Association

Speaking in Downing Street, Mrs May adopted a high-stakes strategy - claiming the wave of ministers quitting in protest at her deal won't force her into a compromise.

By striking a tough line the PM made it more likely that the likes of Michael Gove and Penny Mordaunt could follow Dominic Raab and Esther McVey out of the Cabinet within hours.

Aid Secretary Ms Mordaunt was seen going into No10 minutes after Mrs May spoke - while Mr Gove was rumoured to be on the verge of quitting as Environment Secretary tonight.

On a day of extreme drama in Westminster:

Mrs May confronted MPs in the Commons where she insisted her deal is the only one available

A wave of resignations - with seven MPs quitting - shook the Government

DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds accused Mrs May of breaking her promises in a devastating attack that practically ripped up the deal which props up her Government

The dangers to her leadership were turbo-charged as dozens of MPs sent in letters calling for her to go

But Mrs May insisted she would still push the withdrawal agreement to a Commons vote next month

The EU announced a summit to be held on November 25 - if the PM isn't toppled before then

Top Eurocrat Donald Tusk insisted Brexit can still be reversed

19 The Prime Minister took questions from journalists at a Downing Street press conference Credit: AP:Associated Press

Mrs May told a press conference this evening: "I believe with every fibre of my being that the course I have set out is the right one.

"From the very beginning I have known what I wanted to deliver for the British people to honour their vote in the referendum.

"The British people just want to get on with it - they are looking to the Conservative party to deliver."

And asked by The Sun if she would fight against the leadership challenge launched by furious MPs today, Mrs May replied: "Am I going to see this through? Yes."

She opened her press conference by saying: "Serving in high office is an honour and privilege. It is also a heavy responsibility - that is true at any time, but especially when the stakes are so high.

19 Mrs May raised the stakes by refusing to abandon or alter her Brexit plan Credit: AP:Associated Press

"And negotiating the UK’s withdrawal from the EU after 40 years, and building from the ground-up a new and enduring relationship for the good of our children and grandchildren is a matter of the highest consequence.

"My approach throughout has been to put the national interest first. Not a partisan interest. And certainly not my own political interest."

The PM said she was sorry to see four ministers quit the Government in protest against her Brexit deal but insisted there is no prospect of reopening talks with Brussels to try and strike a better agreement.

And she compared herself to England cricket legend Geoffrey Boycott, adding: "What do we know about Geoffrey Boycott? He stuck at it and got the runs in the end."

Mrs May's supporters in the party praised her "grit and resilience" after the defiant performance - but Brexiteers quipped she'd gone "from Dancing Queen to drama queen".

19 Jacob Rees-Mogg announcing his challenge to Theresa May today Credit: PA:Press Association

19 Theresa May pictured in Downing Street this afternoon Credit: Getty Images - Getty

Furious Tories led by Jacob Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson led an emergency meeting this afternoon where plotters launched a revolt against the PM.

Mr Rees-Mogg, who chairs the powerful European Research Group of pro-Brexit Tories, today called for Mrs May to resign - adding that a Brexiteer such as BoJo should replace her.

His decision to send a letter to backbench chief Graham Brady backing a leadership challenge will encourage allies to do likewise - putting the PM's career in mortal danger.

But Boris has refused to send his own letter because he's worried it will ruin his chance of taking over at No10.

An ally of the former Foreign Secretary told The Sun: "If he wants to be leader, he needs to have his hands clean."

Mr Rees-Mogg this afternoon published the text of the letter he has sent Sir Graham - writing: "Regrettably, the draft withdrawal agreement presented to Parliament today has turned out to be worse than anticipated and fails to meet the promises given to the nation by the Prime Minister, either on her own account or on behalf of us all in the Conservative party manifesto.

"It is of considerable importance that politicians stick to their commitments or do not make such commitments in the first place.

19 The letter sent by Jacob Rees-Mogg calling for a vote of confidence in Mrs May

19 Dominic Raab pictured in Downing Street yesterday - after seeing the Brexit deal in full Credit: PA:Press Association

"Regrettably, this is not the situation, therefore, in accordance with the relevant rules and procedures of the Conservative Party and the 1922 Committee this is a formal letter of no confidence."

Speaking at a press conference afterwards, he insisted he is not interested in taking over as leader.

Mr Rees-Mogg named Boris Johnson, David Davis, Dominic Raab, Esther McVey and Penny Mordaunt as possible replacements.

He was backed by his deputy Steve Baker, who said: "We’ve tried everything to change policy but not the Prime Minister but it has not worked. It is too late. We need a new leader."

If Sir Graham gets 48 letters calling for Mrs May to go, he must announce a vote of confidence in the leader - likely to take place early next week.

At least 11 backbenchers revealed for the first time today that they have put letters in.

19 Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey, pictured this morning, has also quit Credit: London News Pictures

19 Dominic Raab pictured leaving his home today Credit: PA:Press Association

The PM would need the support of 158 of her fellow Tory MPs in order to stay in position.

But Brexiteers believe that even if she manages to survive the vote, their show of strength could force her to resign anyway.

Former Brexit Secretary Mr Raab announced this morning that he won't support the PM's deal, telling The Sun: "I don’t want to submit to the blackmail of my country."

And speaking to the BBC, the ex-minister refused to rule out putting himself forward to replace Mrs May in No10.

He claimed the Brexit deal "would be damaging for the economy and devastating for public trust in our democracy".

Ms McVey, the ex-Work and Pensions Secretary, blasted the agreement saying it "does not honour the result of the referendum" and could break up the UK.

She claimed she couldn't look voters in the eye if she sold out Brexit by backing a plan which leaves Britain "trapped in a customs union".

Two junior ministers, Suella Braverman and Shailesh Vara, also quit in protest, along with ministerial aides Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Ranil Jayawardena.

19 Theresa May on her way to make a statement in the House of Commons Credit: PA:Press Association

19 Michael Gove, pictured outside his home today, is believed to be considering resignation Credit: London News Pictures

Speaking in the House of Commons this morning, Mrs May said: "What we agreed yesterday was not the final deal. It is a draft treaty that means we will leave the EU in a smooth and orderly way on March 29, 2019.

"It takes back control of our borders, laws and money. It protects jobs, security and the integrity of the United Kingdom. And it delivers in ways that many said could simply not be done."

Responding to the resignations of senior ministers, she added: "Delivering Brexit involves difficult choices. We do not agree on all of those choices but I respect their views and thank them sincerely for all that they have done."

The PM admitted talks had involved damaging compromises, saying: "I do not pretend that this has been a comfortable process – or that either we or the EU are entirely happy with all of the arrangements that have been included within it."

But defending the controversial "Irish backstop", Mrs May said: "While some people might pretend otherwise, there is no deal which delivers the Brexit the British people voted for which does not involve this insurance policy.

"The EU will not negotiate any future partnership without it."

PM Theresa May bats down reporter's cricket themed Brexit question after he implies she's running out of wickets

19 Mrs May said she would persist in pushing her deal to a vote in Parliament next month Credit: PA:Press Association

She insisted she has been "acting in the national interest", adding: "That means making what I believe to be the right choices, not the easy ones.

"Once a final deal is agreed, I will bring it to Parliament and I will ask MPs to consider the national interest and give it their backing.

"Voting against a deal would take us all back to square one. It would mean more uncertainty, more division, and a failure to deliver on the decision of the British people that we should leave the EU.

"The choice is clear - we can choose No Deal, we can risk no Brexit at all, or we can choose to unite and support the best deal to be negotiated. I choose to deliver for the British people."

During her statement, Boris Johnson - who is desperate to take her job - looked on and shook his head.

Mrs May was savaged by Nigel Dodds, deputy leader of the DUP who have previously pledged to prop up the PM in power.

He blasted, "We stand up for the UK, the whole of the UK, the integrity of the UK, or we vote for a vassal state," adding: "She clearly doesn't listen."

Veteran Brexiteer Bill Cash added: "These 585 pages are a testament to broken promise, failed negotiations and abject capitulation to the EU."

How wave of resignations could spark PM's demise DOMINIC Raab's decision to quit could spark a wave of resignations from the Cabinet. Within an hour, Esther McVey followed him out of the door - along with two junior ministers and a Parliamentary Private Secretary. Nearly a dozen ministers spoke out against Theresa May's proposed Brexit deal during a five-hour meeting yesterday. If more of them do follow the example of Mr Raab and Ms McVey, it could mean the end for the PM. She would face almost certain defeat when her withdrawal agreement comes to the Commons - and could be forced out altogether. During yesterday's meeting International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt was said to be fiercely critical of the deal. If she resigned, bringing the total to three, Mrs May might still be able to cling on to power. But she would be in much more trouble if one of the most powerful big hitters such as Michael Gove, Jeremy Hunt or Sajid Javid quit. Mr Gove, the Environment Secretary, today cancelled his planned visit to a farming conference - while his aides refused to give any details of his whereabouts. Most other ministers sat alongside the PM during her Commons statement - but were grim and unsmiling during the proceedings.

19 Dominic Raab's resignation letter which he sent to Theresa May today Credit: Twitter/Dominic Raab

19 Esther McVey's resignation letter

Only a handful of Tory MPs spoke in the Commons to support Mrs May's deal, including ex-ministers Nicky Morgan and Amber Rudd.

Jeremy Corbyn said: "After two years of bungled negotiations, the Government has produced a botched deal that breaches the Prime Minister’s own red lines."

Mr Raab is the second Brexit Secretary to quit in just four months - after David Davis walked out in protest at the PM's Chequers plans.

In his resignation letter, he warned: "I cannot in good conscience support the terms proposed for our deal with the EU."

He added: "I cannot reconcile the terms of the proposed deal with the promises we made to the country in our manifesto at the last election. This is, at its heart, a matter of public trust.

"I cannot support the proposed deal for two reasons. First I believe that the regulatory regime proposed for Northern Ireland presents a very real threat to the integrity of the United Kingdom.

"Second, I cannot support an indefinite backstop arrangement, where the EU holds a veto over our ability to exit."

19 Top Brexiteer Boris Johnson pictured in Westminster today Credit: London News Pictures

In her own resignation letter, Ms McVey lashed the PM and wrote: "The deal you put before the Cabinet yesterday does not honour the result of the referendum.

"The British people have always been ahead of politicians on this issue, and it will be no good trying to pretend to them that this deal honours the result of the referendum when it is obvious to everyone that it doesn't.

"We have gone from no deal is better than a bad deal, to any deal is better than no deal.

"I cannot defend this, and I cannot vote for this deal. I could not look my constituents in the eye were I to do that. I therefore have no alternative but to resign from the Government."

But she said reports she burst into tears during Cabinet yesterday were completely untrue.

Despite Mr Raab claiming he is not launching a leadership bid, bookies immediately made him favourite to take over from Mrs May if she is forced out as Tory leader.

His resignation ramped up the pressure on other pro-Brexit ministers to walk out.

The pound plunged after Mr Raab's resignation as fear grew that Mrs May would be unable to force ANY deal through the House of Commons.

19 Shailesh Vara has resigned as Northern Ireland Minister Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 19 Suella Braverman resigned as a junior Brexit Minister Credit: Rex Features

Pro-Remain Tory MP Anna Soubry predicted the wave of resignations would bring the Government down altogether.

She tweeted: "Raab’s resignation marks the end of PM's Withdrawal Agreement. This is v serious the PM will clearly be considering her position. My own view is that we need a Govt of National Unity and we need it now."

Early this morning Northern Ireland Minister Shailesh Vara quit, warning the withdrawal agreement would leave Britain tied to "the shackles of the EU" - and stop us becoming a "sovereign, independent country".

Mr Vara, who backed Remain in the EU referendum, blasted: "We are a proud nation and it is a sad day when we are reduced to obeying rules made by other countries who have shown that they do not have our best interests at heart.

"We can and must do better than this. The people of the UK deserve better."

He said the deal would keep Britain "in a half-way house with no time limit on when we will finally be a sovereign nation".

Suella Braverman, a junior Brexit Minister, resigned saying: "I have reached a point where I feel that these concessions do not respect the will of the people."

And Anne-Marie Trevelyan stepped down as a Parliamentary Private Secretary warning the PM she must "secure a deal which understands the spirit of the referendum".

With much sadness and regret I have submitted my letter of resignation as a Northern Ireland Minister to the Prime Minister. A copy of my letter is attached.

It has been a joy and privilege to serve in the Northern Ireland Office and I will always cherish the fondest memories. pic.twitter.com/SN8j4OwhYD — Shailesh Vara MP #StayAlert (@ShaileshVara) November 15, 2018

It is with deep regret and after reflection that I have had to tender my resignation today as a Brexit Minister. Thank you for the opportunity. I look forward to working to support Brexit from the Backbenches. This has not been an easy decision. pic.twitter.com/C0kply8aLE — Suella Braverman MP (@SuellaBraverman) November 15, 2018

A few hours later, Ranil Jaywardena also resigned as a PPS and said: "I cannot agree, in the cold light of day, that the deal in front of us today is right for our country."

Rehman Chishti said this afternoon that he was quitting as vice-chairman of the Tories and trade envoy to Pakistan.

The PM’s former chief of staff Nick Timothy last night issued a scathing attack on her to claim she NEVER thought Brexit could succeed.

Mr Timothy, who resigned after the 2017 election disaster, also branded her Brexit divorce deal a “capitulation”.

In words that will bitterly sting her, he wrote in the Daily Telegraph: “The British negotiators have shown by their actions that they never believed Brexit can be a success.

“This includes, I say with the heaviest of hearts, the Prime Minister.” The deal fails the red line tests Mrs May set in her Lancaster House speech of January 2017 and would not restore sovereignty or change the economy, he also argued.

19

This morning chief Eurocrat Donald Tusk confirmed that the EU will hold a special summit on November 25 where leaders are expected to sign off on the withdrawal agreement.

But even he acknowledged that Mrs May's days could be numbered - warning the summit would only take place "if nothing extraordinary happens".

He told reporters in Brussels: "Let me say to our British friends - as much as I am sad to see you leave, I will do everything to make this farewell the least painful possible, both for you and for us."

Mr Tusk added that EU ambassadors will meet later this week to share their thoughts on the document, ahead of the summit in ten days' time.

But he warned: "I do not share the Prime Minister's enthusiasm about Brexit as such.

"Since the very beginning, we have had no doubt that Brexit is a lose-lose situation and our negotiations are only about damage control."

Speaking later in the day, he insisted the EU was still poised to welcome Britain back in - signalling to ultra Remainers that their dream of a second referendum could be on the table.

Mr Tusk said: "The EU is prepared for a final deal with the United Kingdom in November.

"We are also prepared for a no-deal scenario but of course we are best prepared for a no-Brexit scenario."

What happens next after the Cabinet approves Brexit deal? Talks in Brussels have finished and the Cabinet is on board - but Theresa May faces weeks or months of uncertainty as she seeks to win the support of MPs for her proposed Brexit deal. TODAY: Theresa May could face further resignations or even a vote of confidence LATER THIS WEEK: EU ambassadors meet to flag up any problems with the withdrawal agreement NOVEMBER 25: EU leaders attend an emergency summit in Brussels - as long as the deal hasn't already collapsed by then BEFORE CHRISTMAS: Parliament votes on the withdrawal agreement - PM faces moment of truth as she attempts to head off Brexiteer rebellion FEBRUARY 2019: The European Parliament holds its own vote on the deal MARCH 29, 2019: The UK officially leaves the EU - but nothing will change if the withdrawal agreement has been confirmed, because it will include a 21-month transition period EARLY 2019: Talks begin in earnest on the final trade deal which will govern the future relationship between Britain and the EU DECEMBER 31, 2020: The transition period ends, and Britain leaves the European single market and customs union

19 Top Eurocrats Michel Barnier and Donald Tusk showing off the withdrawal agreement in Brussels Credit: AP:Associated Press

Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, warned: "Our work is not finished - we still have a long road, a long road ahead of us on both sides. We have no time to lose."

It was thought that 11 ministers, including Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, objected to Mrs May's plan before eventually going along with it.

But both Brexiteers and Remainers described it as the “worst of all worlds.”

Mrs May now has to sell the agreement to warring MPs before a vote in the Commons next month.

She needs 318 votes to get it through the Commons - but there are around 80 Tory rebels and another 230 Labour loyalists who will certainly vote against her.

One senior Brexiteer MP said: “We have a deal where we have to pay the EU billions, accept all EU laws, have no say in EU matters and can’t strike free trade deals.

“It is absolutely the worst of all worlds.”

Brexit deal fallout - Jacob Rees-Mogg denies he's behind 'a coup' as he calls for a vote of confidence in PM Theresa May

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online politics team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours