Perhaps reflecting the exasperation felt by many in the country on the day Britain was meant to depart the European Union, one cabinet minister exhausted by Theresa May’s stubborn Brexit strategy apparently delivered an expletive-ridden outburst when asked about the prime minister's decision to bring her derided deal back for yet another parliamentary vote.

The BBC’s Nick Watt said when he asked the unnamed MP why Ms May was calling a third vote on her plan, the minister said: “F*** knows. I’m past caring. It’s like the living dead in here.”

Although No 10 believes it does have a chance of winning over a majority of MPs at the third time of asking, most in government think it is hopeless, Mr Watt reported on Newsnight on Thursday evening.

He said the despairing minister said Ms May was the “sole architect” of the chaos which has engulfed British politics in recent months.

“It is her inability to engage in the most basic human interactions that brought us here," the minister reportedly told Watt.

Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Show all 9 1 /9 Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Boris Johnson Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson has long been hopeful, he previously stood in the leadership contest that followed the Brexit vote and has at many times since been thought to be maneuvering himself towards the goal. He remains a darling of the party's right wing, particularly those in the ERG, and is the most popular choice among Tory voters but his leadership bid would be fiercely opposed by many MPs PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Michael Gove Environment secretary Michael Gove is another member who has long wanted to be leader. He has lately been known for rousing his party in the commons, his recent speeches on the Brexit deal and Labour's no confidence motion have overshadowed the Prime Minister's. He has been loyal to the Prime Minister, partly to shed his reputation as a backstabber who abandoned Boris Johnson to stand against him in the 2016 leadership election Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Dominic Raab Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has emerged as a favourite to be the Brexiteer candidate in a contest to succeed to Ms May. He displayed a grip on detail in his role as Brexit secretary. When asked recently if he would like to become prime minister he replied "never say never" Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Rory Stewart International development secretary Rory Stewart is pitching himself as the sensible candidate, promising to rule out both a second referendum and a no-deal Brexit. He was only recently promoted to the cabinet, previously serving as prisons minister, where he caught headlines with a pledge to resign if he could not reduce levels of violence within a year PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Esther McVey The former work and pensions secretary announced that she will be standing for the leadership when May leaves. McVey is the first to explicitly state that she intends to stand. She resigned from the cabinet in protest over May's Brexit deal AFP/Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Sajid Javid Home secretary Sajid Javid is said to have a plan in place for a leadership race. He made headlines over Christmas when he declared that people smuggling over the English channel was a "major incident" and more recently when he revoked the citizenship of ISIS bride Shamima Begum. Son of a bus driver, he wants the Conservatives to be seen as the party of social mobility PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Jeremy Hunt Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt was recently thought to be the favourite in the event of a leadership race as he could sell himself as the man to unite the party. Critics worry that his long stint as health secretary could return to haunt him at a general election. He has reportedly been holding meetings with Tory MPs over breakfast to promote his leadership PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Andrea Leadsom Following the Prime Minister's second defeat over her Brexit deal, Leader of the house Andrea Leadsom hosted a dinner party at which "leadership was the only topic of conversation", The Times heard. Leadsom ran against Theresa May in the 2016 leadership election before dropping out, allowing May to become Prime Minister AFP/Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Priti Patel Former international development secretary Priti Patel is thought to be positioning herself as a contender. One MP told The Independent "she knows she's from the right of the party, the part which is going to choose the next leader, so she's reminding everyone she's there." Patel left the government late in 2017 after it emerged that she had held undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials PA

“Cabinet is totally broken down. Ministers say their bit, she gives nothing away. One side thinks X will happen, the other side think Y will happen, and the prime minister decides on Z.”

The government announced on Thursday that Friday's vote will only be on the formal withdrawal arrangements, separating out the outline of the future relationship.

This is an attempt to persuade divided MPs they can back an exit from the EU without committing yet to any particular outcome in the ensuing negotiations.

But Labour has signalled it will still vote against the deal, as will the Democratic Unionist Party, which remains opposed to the Irish border backstop

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If parliament does pass Ms May’s deal it will unlock an extension of the Article 50 process until 22 May to allow time to pass the necessary legislation to implement the deal.