A SENIOR minister is preparing to denounce Theresa May in a dramatic move that could trigger her downfall.

The respected Tory MP has told allies he is close to resigning in a principled protest at the PM’s failing leadership.

3 A senior minister is preparing to denounce Theresa May in a move that could trigger her downfall Credit: Reuters

He then intends to issue a call for new direction for the party in a speech from the Commons backbenches.

The minister - whose identity is known by The Sun - is one of a number not in the Cabinet left very frustrated by the PM’s failure to promote the younger generation into senior jobs during her botched New Year reshuffle.

No10 aides will fear his outburst is likely to trigger a chain reaction of other ministers and MPs also speaking out in a bid to persuade the PM to set a date for her early departure.

The revelation comes as Mrs May’s authority continued to break down yesterday, despite her insistence that she will stay on in No10 because she is “not a quitter”.

3 The minister is one of a number not in the Cabinet left frustrated by the PM’s failure to promote the younger generation Credit: Getty - Pool

The PM added during a trip to China: “First and foremost I’m a servant of my country and there’s a long term job to be done”.

One friend of the minister preparing to speak out said: “Many of us have made big sacrifices to be here.

“His view is that there is point in making them if we’re going in wrong direction, and somebody has to do something about it.”

Anger is rising over Mrs May’s failure to take key decisions over a Brexit trade deal, as well as fears that her domestic reform agenda is also grinding to a halt.

3 Matthew Parris issued a call for Tory MPs to speak out against Mrs May on Saturday Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd

Former Tory MP-turned-Times columnist Matthew Parris issued a call for Tory MPs to speak out against Mrs May on Saturday.

His article is being closely studied in the Commons tea room, The Sun has also learned.

Mr Parris wrote: “The power of a single speech, if timed at a critical point in politics, can be incalculable.

“The time for that logjam-busting speech has come. Whether from a Remainer or a Leaver, the keynote is that this cannot go on.”

​Prime Minister ​Theresa May arrives​ in China​ for a three-day trip designed to boost trade after Brexit

The Tory commentator also reminded today’s MPs that three previous party leaders’ demise were sparked by Commons speeches from backbench MPs - Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher, Harold Macmillan and Neville Chamberlain.

A senior backbench Tory MP told The Sun: “The parliamentary party’s mood is pretty tense.

“Every knows Theresa has to go, but nobody is prepared to act until an obvious alternative for us to coalesce around emerges.

“If or when that happens, things could then move very quickly”.

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A Tory grandee heaped pressure on Mrs May last night to accuse her of leaving the country at a “crossroads without a compass” by dithering over Brexit.

Former minister Lord Cormack demanded the PM clamp down on her “squabbling back seat drivers” and set out her Brexit plans, adding: “Without vision, the people perish”.

He blasted: “We are at a crossroads without a compass. It is important that the Government indicate what they see as the preferred outcome.

“The Prime Minister must not be cowed and prevented from making speeches by some of her squabbling Cabinet colleagues.”