Tory Eurosceptics claimed to have killed off Theresa May’s Chequers deal on Monday night by forcing her to make changes that will leave it “dead on arrival” in Brussels.

The Prime Minister was forced to deny that her Brexit blueprint was fatally compromised after she caved in to four demands from Leave supporters in order to avoid a Commons rebellion over a key piece of Brexit legislation.

Jubilant Brexiteers believe Brussels will now reject the Chequers plan, forcing Mrs May to think again.

But with Tory divisions over Europe once again threatening to tear the party apart, Remain-supporting Conservatives, furious at Mrs May’s concessions, came close to inflicting a damaging defeat on the Government on Monday night.

The most contentious of the Brexiteer amendments to the customs bill was passed by 305 votes to 302, a majority of just three.

A total of 14 Tories rebelled, including Guto Bebb, who immediately resigned as minister for defence procurement, becoming the eighth member of the Government to quit over Brexit.