Theresa May has told Conservative MPs that she will not lead the party into the 2022 election, in a bid to win their support in a critical vote of no confidence.

MPs listening to the prime minister speak ahead of the ballot said from inside the room that Ms May gave clear indications she would step down ahead of the election at the end of the parliament.

However, deputy party chair James Cleverly later denied she had given such a clear commitment, saying instead that she only admitted that some Tory MPs were "uncomfortable” with her taking them into the election.

Ms May addressed her MPs at a meeting of the backbench 1922 Committee minutes before voting opened in the ballot of no confidence in her leadership.

She spent much of Wednesday meeting Tory MPs and reportedly reassured sceptics that it was not her intention to fight the next general election.

MPs inside the 1922 Committee meeting said the prime minister had assured them she would not fight the next election.

Alex Shelbrooke, MP for Elmet and Rothwell, told reporters: "She said definitely that she will not lead us into a 2022 election.

"She said there was still work to be done and that she believed she had a role bringing both the party and the country together after Brexit and delivering a strong domestic agenda."

Asked whether she would quit if an election was held before 2022, Ms May reportedly said there would not be an election before then.

Who might succeed Theresa May if she loses today's confidence vote? Show all 10 1 /10 Who might succeed Theresa May if she loses today's confidence vote? Who might succeed Theresa May if she loses today's confidence vote? Boris Johnson Former foreign secretary and joint favourite at Ladbrokes, Boris Johnson has been a prominent opponent to May's Brexit plan and led the 2016 Leave campaign PA Who might succeed Theresa May if she loses today's confidence vote? Dominic Raab The former Brexit secretary is joint favourite with Boris Johnson at Ladbrokes. Raab supported leave in the referendum Getty Who might succeed Theresa May if she loses today's confidence vote? Sajid Javid The home secretary will back the Prime Minister in the confidence vote but has been rumoured to be a future Tory leader for a while PA Who might succeed Theresa May if she loses today's confidence vote? Jeremy Hunt The foreign secretary will back the Prime Minister in the confidence vote but is seen as a potential contender due to his long time in cabinet and success in his current role PA Who might succeed Theresa May if she loses today's confidence vote? MIchael Gove The environment secretary is a favourite but recently stated that it is "extermely unlikely" that he would stand for the leadership. Getty Who might succeed Theresa May if she loses today's confidence vote? Amber Rudd The work and pensions secretary is seen as a leading candidate from the moderate wing of the party AFP/Getty Who might succeed Theresa May if she loses today's confidence vote? David Davis The former Brexit secretary is thought to be a contender due to his prominence in the referendum campaign and support for a hard Brexit AFP/Getty Who might succeed Theresa May if she loses today's confidence vote? Jacob Rees Mogg Leader of the European Research Group and prominent advocate for a hard Brexit, backbencher Rees Mogg is an outside contender but would garner the support of arch-Brexiteers Getty Who might succeed Theresa May if she loses today's confidence vote? Penny Mordaunt The international development secretary has declared her support for the Prime Minister but there is speculation that she may stand if May loses the vote Getty Who might succeed Theresa May if she loses today's confidence vote? Esther McVey The former work and pensions secretary has refused to rule out a leadership bid. She resigned from the cabinet in protest over May's Brexit deal AFP/Getty

Speaking after the meeting, Brandon Lewis, the Tory chairman, said: “The PM was very frank about the clear view she has that colleagues had made known their views about the 2022 election.

"The decision tonight is about this year right now and Brexit and actually keeping her as PM right now is the right thing to do.”

Mr Cleverly said Ms May told Tory MPs that she "recognised that colleagues were uncomfortable" with her leading the party into another election.

The prime minister said her focus was on "getting Brexit delivered, making sure we have a good working relationship with the DUP up and running and on not having an early election", he said.

The Tory deputy chair said the prime minister had accepted the current issues "would not be resolved by an election".