BREXITEERS may have to back Theresa May's deal or risk a second referendum, Jacob Rees-Mogg warned today.

The leading Eurosceptic admitted that supporting the PM could be the only way to ensure Brexit actually happens.

3 Jacob Rees-Mogg has suggested he could perform a U-turn and back the PM's Brexit deal Credit: PA:Press Association

And in another boost to Mrs May, top Labour figures called on all parties to work together for a deal.

Mr Rees-Mogg, chair of the hardline European Research Group, voted against the PM's deal last month and led efforts to try to kick her out of office.

He is adamant that ministers should consider going for No Deal - but today warned that Remainer MPs will do their utmost to block it.

The Brexiteer told LBC: "The arithmetic in the House of Commons is that such a proposal is very unlikely to get through.

"There is a group of MPs who are trying very very hard to stop Brexit, never wanted it in the first place.

"If it's possible to get a compromise through Parliament that leaves us in a favourable situation, then I think it is worth compromising to ensure that we leave."

We want to leave the European Union, that's our biggest aim Jacob Rees-Mogg

Hinting that he could perform a U-turn and back Mrs May's deal, he added: "The ERG wants us to leave the European Union, that's our biggest aim.

"If we can unite the party, have a strong Government and leave the European Union, that would be a satisfactory outcome.

"But if by accident we leave without a deal because the Prime Minister doesn’t run with this or the EU refuses it then so be it."

Mr Rees-Mogg admitted that forking over £39billion to the EU as part of the withdrawal agreement was a "ransom that we are paying our freedom", but insisted it would be "money well spent".

Brexiteers have demanded the PM remove the Irish backstop, which is designed to avoid a hard border, before they can support her deal.

But Mr Rees-Mogg's comments will raise No10's hopes that the ERG will come around in any case out of fear of a second referendum.

Top Labour MPs today hinted they too could end up backing Mrs May's deal because they don't want to crash out of the EU on March 29.

How Valentine's Day could bring a Brexit massacre for May AFTER MPs voted last month to send Theresa May back to Brussels to rip out the hated backstop, the Brexit deal remains on pause for now. She will hold more talks with her backbenchers this week and head to Northern Ireland for fresh discussions about the thorny issue of the Irish border. Once she’s got a plan she thinks MPs can back, she is set to go back to Brussels to persuade them to endorse it. MPs’ half-term recess has been cancelled to deal with Brexit and get us ready to leave on March 29. The next crunch votes are now set to take place on Valentine's Day - 14 February. The Commons will get a new opportunity to have its say on what happens next. There could be bids to try and delay Brexit again like Yvette Cooper’s amendment, or even a second referendum. Meanwhile, some MPs are considering whether to resign their party whips in order to defy their leader. One Labour MP was reported to be mulling resigning unless Jeremy Corbyn backed a so-called People’s Vote. And Tories like Sarah Wollaston have said they would quit the party if Mrs May targets a No Deal outcome.

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Lisa Nandy, who represents the pro-Brexit seat of Wigan, said: "I, and many others, have concluded that passing the Prime Minister’s withdrawal agreement is the only way through this mess."

Shadow Business Minister Bill Esterson added: "We must overcome our differences. We must recognise our shared goals of avoiding No Deal or other hard Brexit options."

Justice Secretary David Gauke called on MPs to rally around the Prime Minister "in short order" - saying that otherwise Brexit will have to be delayed past March 29.

3 Theresa May returning to Downing Street this morning Credit: Reuters

3 David Gauke warned Brexit could be delayed Credit: Alamy Live News

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