Ministers have become wrapped up in a war of words after Amber Rudd became the first cabinet member to publicly float the idea of a second referendum.

The Work and Pensions Secretary insisted she did not want a referendum, but told ITV's Peston last night that if Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement is thrown out by Parliament then "I could see there would be a plausible argument for it."

Her intervention was welcomed as a "massive moment" by campaigners calling for a so-called People's Vote, with Tory former minister Anna Soubry praising Ms Rudd as "brave and principled".

But her cabinet colleagues have struck a more sceptical tone. Jeremy Hunt warned Tories at a reception held by the Bright Blue think-tank last night that "it would be dangerous for the fabric of democracy" and "disastrous for the Conservative party" if Brexit is delayed or derailed.

The Foreign Secretary argued that the Government's deal represented the "middle ground of British politics" and cautioned against going "down extreme routes" like pursuing a second referendum.