Informal discussions have been held between Labour and Tory MPs over the prospects of forming a new centrist party, it was reported last night.

Labour MPs opposed to Jeremy Corbyn could join forces with Tories at Westminster who would desert the party if Andrea Leadsom won the leadership.

“A number of my colleagues would not feel comfortable in a party led by Andrea Leadsom,” an anonymous Tory minster told The Observer.

Links between pro-Europeans in both parties were forged during the EU referendum campaign.