Theresa May can still convince MPs to back leaving the customs union, a minister claimed today amid reports the Prime Minister could back down.

Justice Secretary David Gauke said the Government could 'win' the argument amid growing belief among Remain supporters Parliament will force the issue.

If was claimed today Mrs May could surrender to a Remain 'stitch up' over the customs union in defiance of a Brexiteer revolt.

Brexit Secretary David Davis was said to be leading resistance to a U-turn on the policy amid claims it would be a 'betrayal'.

But Mr Gauke played the issue down today, ahead of a crucial symbolic vote of MPs on the customs union this week.

Theresa May (pictured at church with husband Philip today) is said to be ready to accept a form of customs partnership in defiance of Brexiteer ministers

Justice Secretary David Gauke said the Government could 'win' the argument amid growing belief among Remain supporters Parliament will force the issue

Mr Gauke told BBC's The Andrew Marr Show: 'The job of those of us in Government is to persuade Parliament that the route going forward, leaving the customs union, but ensuring that we don't put in place unnecessary barriers to our trade with the European Union.

'We can make that case to Parliament. I think we can win that case. I think we have got to win that case and that is my determination.'

The Brexit Secretary objects to plans by Downing Street to stay in a customs 'partnership' with the EU that would allow the UK to strike trade deals around the world – but collect import tariffs on behalf of Brussels.

Mr Davis is understood to have told No 10 that the idea is unworkable and would be greeted with fury by many Tory MPs. He is believed to be supported by other Cabinet Ministers, including Boris Johnson and Michael Gove.

And Mr Davis is publicly backed today by one former Government Minister, who argues that the plan could lead to the 'complete derailment' of Brexit.

David Davis will 'lead a strike' over No 10's plans to strike a deal with Brussels

David Jones, who was a Brexit Minister under Theresa May, writes below that the idea is 'a Byzantine scheme designed first to slow down Brexit and then to strangle it'.

The 'partnership' customs plan is being pushed by Oliver Robbins, the Prime Minister's Brexit adviser at No 10, in an attempt to break a deadlock in negotiations with Brussels over the Irish border.

The British team has been struggling to find a way in which the UK can leave the EU customs union – as Mrs May has promised – without having a hard border in Ireland.

But Mr Jones said: 'I speak for many Tory MPs when I say that whatever the consequences, we could never vote for it.'

Theresa May will face further pressure on the issue this week when MPs debate a motion aimed at forcing a vote

It was reported last week that the customs 'partnership' was one of several options already rejected by Brussels. However, Brexiteer Tory MPs fear this is just a negotiating device to force the UK to accept close customs ties after Brexit.

Mrs May will face further pressure on the issue this week when MPs debate a motion aimed at forcing a vote.

Three Tory Commons select committee chairs – Bob Neill, Nicky Morgan and Sarah Wollaston – are among the signatories to the motion, which urges the Government to 'include as an objective in negotiations... the establishment of an effective customs union'.

Last night, a spokesman for Mr Davis said: 'We have put sensible and practical solutions on the table and are working constructively towards getting this solved by October .' A source said: 'David knows that Boris, Gove and a large chunk of the party won't buy it. It's not even as if they are mad on it in Brussels – they find the idea of a third party collecting their tariffs distinctly odd.'

A senior Brussels source told The Mail on Sunday: 'The consensus EU view is that we won't move forward with the negotiations until we have a clear idea as to whether there is British parliamentary support for leaving the customs union.

'We don't think there is – that sentiment is changing and you will end up staying in.'

WHY DO THE CUSTOMS UNION AND SINGLE MARKET MATTER AND WHAT COULD HAPPEN AFTER BREXIT? When Britain stays in a custom union with Brussels (the European Commissions headquarters is pictured) is one of the main points of Brexit contention The customs union and single market have emerged as crucial battlegrounds in the struggle over Brexit. The customs arrangements could decide the fate of the overall deal - as the UK has already said it will ensure there is no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. Here are the main options for what could happen after Britain leaves the bloc. Staying in the EU single market A Norway-style arrangement would be the deepest possible without formally staying in the EU. The single market rules out tariffs, quotas or taxes on trade, and guarantees free movement of goods, services, capital and - controversially - people. It also seeks to harmonise rules on packaging, safety and standards. Staying in the EU customs union The customs union allows EU states to exchange goods without tariffs, and impose common tariffs on imports from outside the bloc. But they also prevent countries from striking deals outside the union. Theresa May has repeatedly made clear that the UK will be leaving the customs union. Forging a new customs union Some MPs and the Labour leadership have raised the idea of creating a new customs union with the EU. This could be looser than the existing arrangements, but still allow tariff free trade with the bloc. However, many Eurosceptics believe it is impossible to be in a union without hampering the UK's ability to strike trade deals elsewhere. They also complain that it would mean accepting the EU's 'protectionist' tariffs against other parts of the world in areas like agriculture. The PM has also ruled out this option. A customs partnership Less formal than a union, this proposal would seek to cherry pick the elements that facilitate tariff-free trade - without binding the UK's hands when it comes to deals with other countries. One possibility could be keeping the UK and EU connected for trade in goods, but allowing divergence for the services sector. The partnership option was floated by the government in a position paper last year. 'Highly streamlined' customs This scenario would be a 'bare minimum' customs arrangement between the EU and UK. New technology would be deployed alongside a simple agreement to minimise friction. But there are fears that this could hit trade, and it is unclear how the system would work with a 'soft' Irish border. Advertisement

Customs union Q&A What is the customs union? The EU customs union is a trade agreement comprising all 28 members plus Monaco. Members do not impose tariffs on each other's goods as they cross borders. They apply the same tariffs on imports from nations outside the union. Why should we leave? Inside the customs union, the UK cannot negotiate its own trade deals with the third party countries. Taking back control of trade would mean huge economic advantages from doing deals with non-EU nations. We could also cut tariffs on goods we import to cut prices for consumers. Why do Remainers argue for the customs union? Remainers say leaving would damage the economy because it would involve customs checks at ports, slowing down the passage of goods and potentially damaging industries which rely on quick movement of goods, such as car producers. They also say it's not possible to have a 'frictionless border' in Ireland if the UK leaves the customs union. Why does Ireland matter? Brussels argues that it is impossible to have no 'hard border' - involving customs checks between the republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland if the UK leaves. As a result, the EU says the North must stay inside the customs union, in effect creating a customs border in the Irish Sea. Theresa May says this threatens our 'constitutional integrity' and is something she would never accept. What are our options? Ministers have made two customs proposals. One is a highly streamlined set of arrangements involving trusted trader schemes and spot checks away from the border. The other involves the EU collecting tariffs on our behalf and vice versa with refunds paid to importers whose goods were destined for Britain if our tariffs are lower. What do other countries do? Turkey is a customs union with the EU so is unable to negotiate its own trade deals. Switzerland is not, but it follows many EU rules and has slashed checks on its borders with EU countries, relying mostly on risk-based spot tests. What happens next? Remainer MPs and peers are trying to force Britain to stay inside the customs union by amending the EU Withdrawal Bill. Eurosceptic Tories fear ministers are preparing to roll over, destroying one of the great benefits of Brexit. Advertisement