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The Independent Group will refuse to help unseat the Tories in a no confidence vote, a leading MP has signalled.

Chris Leslie said a general election would not be "right for the country" despite the group supposedly opposing Theresa May's Brexit .

It suggests Jeremy Corbyn will not be able to rely on the 11 MPs, including 3 ex-Tories, to help unseat the government if he forces another no confidence vote.

If enough Tories came on board, it is possible the group could team up with other opposition parties and force Theresa May from office.

But today Heidi Allen, one of three MPs who quit the Tories for the group, admitted the new group "are not ready" to face an election - which would be triggered if the government lost a no confidence vote - and it would "crush us".

(Image: PA)

And asked if the new group would back a no confidence vote Mr Leslie said: "We don't believe right now, at this moment of national crisis, a general election would be the right thing for the country.

"Next week we've got probably the most important set of Brexit votes."

He said February 28 could turn into an all-night sitting of the Commons on whether to delay Brexit, and "from our point of view, that has to be the priority."

Mr Leslie even predicted Jeremy Corbyn might push for a repeat of the no confidence vote he tried - and failed - to pass in January.

He told journalists: "Clearly you can imagine circumstances, because it's changing the numbers in terms of the government, that there might be some game playing by Jeremy Corbyn in terms of no confidence motions and all those things.

"We're quite alive to the fact that the Labour leadership are very much in the game playing mode.

"And I am in my own point of view not up for playing silly games any longer".

He added: "Therefore I am certainly not pre-disposed to having an election at this time."

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Heidi Allen, who quit the Tories to join the group, added: "It's not all about us. It's about what is best for the country.

"And a general election would be THE worst thing, now at minus 895 hours or something until Brexit.

"That would be the last thing we need."

She added: "Given what's happened in both parties this week, I think both parties would be utterly foolish to try and push the nuclear button in a general election.

"I don't think they'll be looking for it either."

And she said: "If we are breaking the system and trying to create something new that is the first thing the big parties are going to do to try and crush us.

"Because they know we are not ready for a general election or for by-elections, and we have to really resist that."

It came despite Ms Allen telling journalists she wanted the new movement to destroy the Tory party.

Asked if she would return to her old party she replied: "I can't imagine it. I just can't.

"Not least because if we do our jobs right, there won't be a Tory party to go back to."