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Tory James Cleverly faced jeers from the Question Time audience after he was unable to say Theresa May had a Brexit 'plan B.'

The Tory deputy chairman was repeatedly asked what he would do if Mrs May's deal is rejected in the meaningful vote next Tuesday.

Mr Cleverly explained that he's appointed by the Conservative Party, not by the government - so it would be "inappropriate" for him to be brought into discussions on any possible alternative plan.

But dissatisfied host Fiona Bruce asked: "Does anybody have any idea what the plan B is? Literally anybody?"

I think the plan B, from my personal…I think what should happen is that MPs who think there is some miraculous better choice, some unicorn option that Emily [Thornberry, Labour ] has put forward, the idea that Jeremy Corbyn …

But Bruce interrupted, saying: ”No, no. We’re not going on about that. What is your plan B?”

“I’m explaining,” Cleverly insisted.

Bruce replied: “OK. Then I’m just going to wait.”

Cleverly went on: “The…er, the idea that they can magic up some alternative plan is not an option.”

“Hang on,” said Bruce. “You just said you had a plan B. You haven’t got a plan B?”

Cleverly said: “Delaying to have a second referendum is not an option.”

(Image: BBC)

Comedian Nish Kumar shouted: “Well what’s the plan, dude?”

“Our plan is on the table,” insisted Cleverly.

Bruce said again: “I just asked you what is your plan B? You said: ‘I’m going to tell you what plan B is.’”

She asked the audience: “Have I missed it, folks?”

“Our plan,” Cleverly repeated, “is to deliver the agreement that’s been negotiated with 27…”

The audience began to groan.

But asked by Lib Dem deputy leader Jo Swinson whether he really believes his party will win the vote on Tuesday, he admitted: “I suspect we might not.”

And he claimed that had May’s deal been on the ballot paper in 2016, people would have voted for it.

Bruce again interjected, saying: “James, occasionally you have to stop talking.”

She noted a recent poll, which found 59% of grassroots Conservatives do not support May’s deal.

“So what are you talking about?” she asked.

“The government is working on behalf of a whole country,” he said. “This evening we’ve seen a number of people say they support Theresa May, say that they support the action she’s taken.

“You can rewind the video later on and watch it again. A number of people have said they recognise other parties haven’t put forward alternatives.”

Bruce quipped: “And neither have you, incidentally.”