The UK will “flourish and prosper” even if it walks away from the EU without a deal, Jeremy Hunt has insisted.

In an interview with The Telegraph, the Foreign Secretary says that while a no-deal Brexit would cause disruption, the country has faced much bigger challenges in its history.

He also admits wanting “a crack” at succeeding Theresa May after the Prime Minister steers the country through what he calls “this challenging next few months”, following her pledge to stand aside before the next scheduled election in 2022.

But he says Mrs May is the only person who can secure the changes necessary for MPs to back her deal, because EU leaders respect her and “know how hard she has been working”.

His comments come amid a highly charged Cabinet dispute over whether a no-deal outcome is preferable to a second referendum or a soft exit.