Philip Hammond has repeatedly refused to endorse Theresa May as Conservative leader for the next General Election.

The Chancellor was asked four times if Mrs May should stay on as in 2022 but declined to give her his support, instead saying that the focus must be on delivering Brexit.

The Prime Minister's future is expected to dominate the Conservative conference this weekend amid deepening Cabinet splits over Brexit and the future of the party.

It has been claimed that around 30 Tory MPs are willing to sign a letter challenging her leadership in a bid to pressure her into quitting.

It came as David Davis opened the latest round of Brexit negotiations by warning Brussels that there can be "no excuses" for standing in the way of progress.

Speaking alongside Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Mr Davis said that the UK will only pay a Brexit divorce bill in exchange for a "new deep and special partnership" with the EU.