Cabinet minister Greg Clark has refused to rule out resigning if Theresa May pressed ahead with a no-deal Brexit, as he said such a scenario would be a “disaster”.

Urging parliament to establish that it wants a disorderly exit from the EU ruled out, the business secretary also claimed there is “mounting alarm” in businesses around the world.

Describing the prospect of leaving the bloc on World Trade Organisation (WTO) trading terms as the “most rudimentary that exist between any nations on earth”, Mr Clark said in an article for Politico that a no-deal scenario is ”bewildering in many boardrooms”.

He also contradicted the prime minister’s mantra that “no deal is better than a bad deal”, adding: “Business have been supportive of the agreement the prime minister has negotiated because it reflects what job creators say is needed. A deal, rather than no deal.”

Asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme whether he would be able to stay in his position if the government was to oversee a no deal, he replied: “It’s not that it would become government policy ... what parliament needs to do is recognise that we need to put differences aside and establish an agreement on a deal.”

Pressed again, he added: “I would always work and fight to make sure the policy of the government is to have a good deal and to avoid what I think would be a disaster, which would be no deal.”

His remarks came as Nick Timothy, the former chief of staff to the prime minister, wrote in an article for The Daily Telegraph that some Conservative MPs could vote against the government in a no-confidence motion to stop a no-deal Brexit.

But crucially, he added: “Other senior MPs – including several ministers – agree in private. Up to five cabinet ministers would resign. It is very difficult to imagine the government defying parliament in this way.”

After the government suffered two damaging defeats in the Commons in the space of 24 hours, Mr Clark also said it was clear there was no majority for Britain leaving the bloc without a deal.

“It is my strong view that we need to come together. We need to act to avoid a no deal because I don’t think there is anything remotely like a majority in parliament that will tolerate this,” he said.

Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Show all 11 1 /11 Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray (left) and a pro-Brexit protester argue as they demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A pro-Brexit protester argues Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police surround the pro-Brexit protester after he confronted Steve Bray, a pro-European protester Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A leave supporter is spoken to by a police officer as he argues with a remain supporter, Steve Bray, outside Parliament PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament MPs in Parliament are to vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal next week after her December vote was called off in the face of a major defeat Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A leave supporter is spoken to by a police officer PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police look on as anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament. Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police hold back a leave supporter PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A police officer speaks with anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police surround a pro-Brexit protester after he confronted a pro-European protester Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Conservative MP David Davies, wearing a gopro camera, speaks to anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray Getty Images

“The default is in law that unless we have a deal then we will fall into no deal. Now, I think, is the time for parliament to recognise this. We need to come together, we need to do a deal.