Independent Group: Tory ministers shocked as party poised for more defections over Brexit Their fellow Remainer Amber Rudd said it was a ‘great shame’ the MPs quit the Conservative Party

Cabinet ministers have expressed support for the three Conservative MPs who have quit the party to join a new centre-ground grouping, one of the defectors said on Wednesday night.

As the Westminster party system came under intense strain, Heidi Allen, Anna Soubry and Sarah Wollaston crossed the Commons floor to sit alongside eight former Labour MPs.

Their decision to resign to support the Independent Group sent shockwaves through a party riven by in-fighting over Brexit.

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‘Great shame’

Their fellow Remainer, the Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, said it was a “great shame to have lost the commitment and undeniable talent of three Conservative colleagues”.

She said: “I look forward to continuing to work with them on a number of important issues, including a Brexit deal that works for the whole country.”

There are sympathetic ministers at all levels Heidi Allen

With rumours swirling that other anti-Brexit Tories were set to jump ship, Ms Allen she believed “a significant number” of Conservative MPs were considering joining the new group.

She added: “There are sympathetic ministers at all levels.”

Ms Allen suggested potential Tory defectors were holding fire for the moment for fear of destabilising Theresa May at a crucial juncture in the Brexit process and risking a general election.

End of modernisation

The three MPs made clear that their concerns about Mrs May’s performance went far wider than Brexit, accusing her of throwing away the modernisation agenda begun by David Cameron and allowing the party to be taken over by right-wing hardliners.

Ms Soubry said she would not stay in the party to “skirmish on the margins when the truth is the battle is over and the other side has won”.

She said: “The right wing, the hardline anti-EU awkward squad that have destroyed every leader for the last 40 years are now running the Conservative Party from top to toe. They are the Conservative Party.”

The Broxtowe MP urged “”fellow one nation Conservatives” and “like-minded Lib Dems” to “please, come and join us” by breaking away from their parties and joining the new grouping.

Tory leaders react

The right wing, the hardline anti-EU awkward squad that have destroyed every leader for the last 40 years Anna Soubry

In a rare intervention, Mr Cameron expressed his dismay at the departure of “three talented Tory MPs”.

He said: “I respect their decision, but disagree with them: we need strong voices at every level of the party calling for the modern, compassionate Conservatism that saw the Conservative Party return to office.”

Sad that three talented Tory MPs have left the party… I respect their decision, but disagree with them. pic.twitter.com/YwkHVvB82d — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) February 20, 2019

In a statement, Mrs May said she was “saddened” by the resignations but insisted she was “delivering on our manifesto commitment and implementing the decision of the British people” to leave the EU.

She said: “I am determined that under my leadership the Conservative Party will always offer the decent, moderate and patriotic politics that the people of this country deserve.”