Rory Stewart will launch a defence of his Conservative values at the party's annual conference later this month, despite having the whip withdrawn for rebelling over Brexit.

The former international development secretary will still attend the four day get-together in Manchester even though he is no longer being allowed to sit as a Conservative MP.

He will take part in an one-on-one interview with Conservative peer Lord Finkelstein on the opening day of conference, in what a spokesperson for the event organiser described as "a wide ranging conversation."

Another high-profile rebel attending is former justice secretary David Gauke, who will take part in a Brexit debate on Tuesday October 1 in an event organised by the Conservative Home website.

While Mr Stewart and Mr Gauke are set to make an appearance, the majority of the other rebels are shunning the showpiece event.

Former education secretary Justine Greening, who is listed to speak at event on Monday September 30, told the Telegraph she would be staying at home.

"It's always risky saying in your event blurb that someone’s coming who hasn’t confirmed," she added.

Other rebels who are shunning the conference include Oliver Letwin, Antoinette Sandbach, Richard Harrington, Anne Milton and Stephen Hammond.