BREXITEERS were last night scrambling to find at least six more MPs to take them over a threshold to trigger a no confidence vote in Theresa May.

An extensive investigation by The Sun revealed that a total of 42 Tory MPs had given firm assurances that they had submitted letters saying they no longer support the PM.

6 The Prime Minister could be booted out of No10 if the majority vote against her

Senior Tory MPs Zac Goldsmith and Bill Cash yesterday took the total number publicly declaring they had sent no confidence letters to 25, while a further 17 have privately said they have written to Sir Graham Brady, who collects a list of names anonymously in his role as chairman of the Tory 1922 committee.

But it still leaves them short of the 48 threshold needed to trigger a vote on her leadership and last night senior Eurosceptic rebels admitted the coup was in danger of fizzling out.

Senior MPs described today as “judgement day” and conceded that if they don’t breach the 48 target today, it’s unlikely they will until after the Commons’ meaningful vote on the PM’s Brexit deal next month.

A ballot of all 315 Tory MPs on whether to keep Mrs May as PM could be held as early as tomorrow if the number of letters reach 48 - but she would only be forced out of No10 if a majority - 158 - voted against her.

6 Zac Goldsmith submitted a no confidence letter Credit: PA:Press Association

Leading Eurosceptic rebel Mark Francois said: “MPs will have discussed it with their loved ones, go to bed, sleep on it, and get up with a resolve to do one thing or another when they come back to Westminster.”

But a bitter war of words erupted among the Eurosceptics plotting to oust Mrs May.

Ringleader Steve Baker blasted colleagues who had promised to send in a letter but had failed to do so.

He told The Sun: “If everyone does what they’ve told me, the line will be crossed by a big margin on Monday evening.

6 Eurosceptic rebel Mark Francois said: 'MPs will have discussed it with their loved ones' Credit: Getty Images - Getty

“However, it has become very very clear that not everyone does what they’ve said they’re going to do.

“Conservative Members of Parliament who have decided that the only way to change the policy is to change the leader must have the courage and integrity to write the letter themselves.

“Simply telling me they’re going to obviously isn’t good enough.”

In a further blow to their hopes of toppling the PM loyal Tory associations were believed to be dampening the revolt, with another Brexiteer revealing that “people are getting cold feet” after talking to their members over the weekend.

6 Dominic Raab has supported Theresa May remaining as PM despite resigning as Brexit Secretary last week Credit: 2018 © Elliott Franks

Sir Graham - the only person who knows how many have submitted letters - confirmed yesterday that the 48 threshold had yet to be reached and ridiculed claims he was sitting on the final letter needed in order to protect the PM.

He said claims he would wait to hold a vote were “slightly offensive”.

And he hit back at rebels - revealing that some had even lied about sending in letters of no confidence.

But in a worrying sign for No10 Sir Graham, an influential figure who oversees Tory leadership contests, himself admitted he was “not happy” with Mrs May’s Brexit deal and said he hadn’t yet decided whether he would vote for it in Parliament next month.

6 Michael Gove has been described as noble for sticking by the PM Credit: Getty Images - Getty

He said it was “entirely noble” of Brexiteers within the Cabinet such as Michael Gove and Andrea Leadsom to stay in a bid to change the deal.

Sir Graham told Pienaar’s Politics: “We’ve got the draft withdrawal agreement, there might be some tweaks to that and I hope there will be.”

Despite quitting as Brexit Secretary last week Dominic Raab yesterday lent his support for Mrs May to stay as PM.

He told the Andrew Marr Show: “I’m supporting this Prime Minister. I will not be supporting anyone who is sending in letters to the 1922 Committee and in a vote of no confidence I would support her.”

6 Mrs May could lose her spot at the top if more MPs submit letters of no confidence

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Tory MP Michael Fabricant was one of several other Eurosceptic MPs to say he would not be submitting his letter - but vowed to vote against the deal if unchanged. He wrote on Twitter: “I am NOT putting in a letter to the 1922 to trigger a confidence vote. Unwise. If she won convincingly, and she might, it would strengthen Remainers hands in the Government.

“However, this deal as it stands is unacceptable. If unchanged, I will vote against it.”

Mrs May said she last spoke to Sir Graham on Friday and she was not aware the total number of no confidence letters had reached 48.

She told Sky News: “As far as I know, no, it has not.”

Theresa May says the '48 letter limit has not been reached' to trigger a no-confidence vote