Allies say May will refuse to name a date for her departure

Theresa May’s closest cabinet allies believe she is finished and her premiership will “end in tears” unless she sets out plans to leave Downing Street by June 15.

Loyalists — including Karen Bradley, James Brokenshire, Julian Smith, Chris Grayling and her deputy, David Lidington — think she has next to no chance of having a Brexit deal approved by parliament and will have to step aside in the next few weeks.

Liam Fox, who has also stood by May, has privately revealed he is prepared to resign and lead a cabinet walkout if she agrees a deal with Labour to keep Britain in a customs union with Brussels.

One close ally even suggested that May’s husband Philip, who has repeatedly urged her to fight