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Politics professor Tim Bale said Tory MPs would threaten the Prime Minister’s position if she softens her approach to the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. Speaking at a Brexit debate, hosted by the Institute for Government, Mr Bale added Mrs May was in a ”fantasy” world if she thought she could do a deal with the Labour party to push an alternative Brexit onto the table, which could include remaining a member of the customs union or single market. Mr Bale, of Queen Mary University of London, said: “It’s very, very difficult to imagine up to 80 Conservative MPs being willing to do any kind of compromise on this.

IFG•GETTY Tim Bale said Tory MPs would threaten Theresa May's stance if she went for a 'softer' Brexit

They are the sort of people who will threaten and possibly will actually pull the pin on the hand grenade if they feel she is letting them down Politics professor Tim Bale

“They are the sort of people who will threaten and possibly will actually pull the pin on the hand grenade if they feel she is letting them down or betraying them in any way. “The idea that somehow she can avoid that problem by doing some sort of deal with the Labour party is a fantasy to be honest. “I don’t think it’s in Labour’s interest to be seen to be doing a deal with the Conservatives, in the run up to what they assume will be an election reasonably soon.”

May meets Juncker and Barnier at Number 10 Wed, April 26, 2017 Theresa May hosted European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and chief negotiator Michel Barnier at Downing Street for the first face-to-face talks since she triggered the two-year process of withdrawing from the EU Play slideshow PA 1 of 7 Prime Minister Theresa May greets European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker ahead of a working dinner at 10 Downing Street, London