Theresa May arrives back in the UK after talks in Brussels dragged on into the night

Theresa May was under pressure to name a date for her departure last night after cabinet support drained away and the DUP made clear its lack of faith in her.

Senior figures in No 10 confirmed that discussions on a timetable for the prime minister to stand down were under way. A Downing Street source said that even her closest allies believed it was inevitable she would have to resign. “It’s obvious that this is where things are headed,” they said.

Mrs May’s de facto deputy, David Lidington, held talks with opposition leaders yesterday about votes on alternatives to her Brexit deal.

The move — which infuriated Brexiteers — was interpreted by both allies and critics as a sign that he had “seized control”. Meanwhile