She is facing the prospect of a Tory vote of confidence being called imminently as MPs put in more letters


Brexiteers plotting to topple Theresa May faced a ferocious Tory backlash on Thursday night.

On a dramatic day at Westminster, hardline Eurosceptics went public with their bid to oust the Prime Minister, following the resignation of Dominic Raab, Esther McVey and two junior ministers over Brexit.

Jacob Rees-Mogg confronted Mrs May in the Commons before holding an extraordinary Press conference outside Parliament, saying he had submitted a letter of no confidence in her. Another 15 MPs also announced they had submitted letters in a bid to reach the threshold of 48 needed to trigger a confidence vote.

But angry moderate Tories rallied round the Prime Minister and warned the Eurosceptics that they could bring down the Government, damage the economy and jeopardise Brexit if they pressed ahead with a coup.

Mrs May pledged to stand and fight if her critics forced a vote of no confidence in her leadership, telling reporters: 'Am I going to see this through? Yes.'

However, there were fears she could face further resignations on Friday, with Michael Gove, Chris Grayling and Penny Mordaunt all considering whether to quit.

Mr Gove reportedly turned down Mrs May's invitation to become the new Brexit Secretary, after he insisted he would want to renegotiate the deal with Brussels himself.

The Prime Minister used a press conference in Downing Street (pictured) to double down on her determination to press ahead with her controversial pact with the EU

It came as:

Mrs May defied critics who warn that her deal will be blocked by MPs, saying she would emulate her cricketing hero Geoffrey Boycott and 'get the runs in the end';

The Prime Minister delayed a government reshuffle because of fears more ministers could quit today;

Mr Gove turned down the job of Brexit Secretary after Mrs May refused his demand for the right to renegotiate with Brussels;

Miss Mordaunt made a fresh appeal to Mrs May to give MPs a free vote on the deal in a bid to end the civil war;

Boris Johnson, who attended a crunch meeting of European Research Group members, refused to say whether he had submitted a letter of no confidence;

Scottish Secretary David Mundell condemned Mr Raab as a 'carpet-bagger', saying his resignation was 'more about manoeuvring and leadership' than principles;

An exclusive poll for the Mail found that more than half of Tory voters oppose the attempted coup, with just 30 per cent wanting Mrs May to go;

Jeremy Corbyn said Labour would vote against the proposals, even though this could lead to a chaotic exit without a deal;

DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds suggested his party would end the confidence and supply deal which props up Mrs May's Government unless she backs down over plans that would create 'a vassal state and break up the UK'.

Seven MPs quit ministerial roles yesterday as Mrs May faced sustained criticism of her Brexit agreement during a three-hour appearance at the Commons despatch box.

Mr Rees-Mogg, chairman of the European Research Group of Brexiteer MPs, led the backbench effort to unseat Mrs May.

He told the Prime Minister she was losing his support, saying her proposals 'did not deliver Brexit'. He denied he was mounting a 'coup', but said Mrs May should be replaced by a Brexiteer, with Mr Johnson and Mr Raab top of his list.

Others who said they had put in letters included Peter Bone, James Duddridge, Philip Davies, Andrea Jenkyns, Nadine Dorries, Andrew Bridgen and Simon Clarke.

Tory Eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg signalled an all-out assault on Mrs May by telling a pack of reporters (pictured) that he had sent a no-confidence letter

Alan Duncan (left) and Nicky Morgan (right) were among the Conservative MPs who came out in support of Mrs May last night. Minister Mr Duncan said the hardline Brexiteer plotters were making Britain 'ungovernable'

May vows to bat on as she invokes her hero Boycott's resilience Theresa May compared herself to her dogged cricket hero Geoffrey Boycott as she vowed to fight on despite a chorus of opposition. The former Yorkshire and England batsman was famous as a player for his stubbornness, resilience and long innings. Speaking at Downing Street Mrs May was asked if she would 'resign as captain' in the wake of resignations and a plot to oust her as party leader. She responded: 'What do you know about Geoffrey Boycott? 'Geoffrey Boycott stuck to it and he got the runs in the end.' The PM has previously praised Boycott, saying last year that 'he just stuck in there and got on with the job'. Boycott himself has compared Remainers calling for a fresh vote to a 'spoilt child'. On ITV's Good Morning Britain in September he said Mrs May faced the toughest job in Number 10 since Winston Churchill. He said: 'What she should do is believe in democracy, that's what we all believe in; the vote has been made now let's move on with it.' Advertisement

The political chaos sparked the biggest one-day fall in the pound this year, which prompted City regulators to hold calls with major banks to assess just how febrile conditions were on the financial markets.

The uncertainty sparked anger among a string of moderate Tories last night, with Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan warning the hardliners they were making Britain 'ungovernable', while chief whip Julian Smith said Mrs May would 'not be bullied'.

Moderate loyalists accused Mr Rees-Mogg of being ‘self indulgent’ and warned he risked ‘wrecking’ the Government and splitting the party.

Sir Alan told rebel MPs to 'stop and think and realise the gravity of what they're playing with at the moment'. He added: 'If they try to replace the Prime Minister, they risk destroying the Government and perhaps for a long time also the Conservative Party, all of which would take place in the middle of unconcluded Brexit negotiations.'

Solicitor general Robert Buckland said: 'I am fed up with knee-jerk reactions from people who have not read the detail or are deliberately misrepresenting it.'

Former education secretary Nicky Morgan said: 'A pragmatic Conservative leader trying to govern in the national interest gets knifed by Tory Brexiteers – it's so familiar. Exactly when does this end so we actually get on with governing for the whole country?'

Alistair Burt, a Foreign Office minister, accused plotters of trying to 'detonate' a deal designed to secure people's livelihoods, and Tory grandee Sir Nicholas Soames accused plotters of 'desperate showboating' and said it was a 'point of honour' to 'see them off'.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said he had 'every confidence' the deal would deliver a good Brexit and paid tribute to Mrs May, telling the Mail: 'The Prime Minister has been unwavering in that commitment. Her sense of duty, her real strength and her constant drive to deliver that is something that everyone admires.'

A defiant Mrs May (pictured in Downing Street today) told MPs that she would carry on in the 'national interest', despite admitting the compromises involved were not 'comfortable'

On Thursday night, even some members of the ERG disagreed with the bid to oust the Prime Minister. Tory MPs discussing whether to put letters in on a private WhatsApp group were deeply divided.

Sir Edward Leigh acknowledged there were 'differences' within the group over the approach and said he would not be submitting a letter of no confidence, adding: 'These issues are so complex that one should not deal with them on a personal basis.'

Mr Raab said he did not want to see a leadership contest now, telling the Mail: 'The letters and all that are the wrong thing to do. I want her to make a success of Brexit but she needs to change course.'

In the Commons, Mrs May appealed to MPs on all sides to examine the plans before turning against them. And she vowed to press ahead regardless of how many members of the Cabinet resign.

'Voting against a deal would take us all back to square one,' she said.

The Prime Minister used a press conference in Downing Street to double down on her determination to press ahead with her controversial pact with the EU.

Despite seven high-profile resignations and the near-certain prospect of a Tory no-confidence vote in her leadership after Jacob Rees-Mogg joined calls, Mrs May insisted she would keep 'putting the national interest first'.

'I believe with every fibre in my body that the course I have set out is the right one,' she said.

Mr Raab revealed his resignation on Twitter today (left) saying he could not 'in good conscience' support the Brexit deal. It came less than two hours after Shailesh Vara quit as Northern Ireland minister (right)

She admitted that the burden of leadership was 'heavy' at the best of times and even tougher when Brexit pervaded every part of the UK economically and socially.

Laying down the gauntlet to her critics, Mrs May said: 'Nobody has proposed any alternative proposal that honours the referendum and protects the border in Northern Ireland.'

She listed the things her would achieve: 'Full control of our borders, by bringing an end to the free movement of people – once and for all. Full control of our money, so we decide ourselves how to spend it on priorities like our NHS. Full control of our laws, by ending the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the United Kingdom. Getting us out of the Common Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy for good.'

Asked if she would fight on even if she only wins a Tory no-confidence ballot by one vote, Mrs May retorted: 'Am I going to see this through? Yes.'

She now faces a gruelling month as she prepares to nail down the exit deal at a summit in Brussels, negotiate a future trade agreement and attempt to get the deal through Parliament, while trying to fend off an attempted coup. Allies last night insisted she remained ‘remarkably resilient’.

Former minister Nick Boles, who has battled cancer, said he did not agree with the PM’s Brexit plans, but added: ‘I don’t think I have even a tenth of the grit and resilience of the woman who is our Prime Minister. I take my hat off to her.’

How the day of Brexit chaos unfolded in Westminster 7.32am: Shailesh Vara quits as junior Northern Ireland minister, claiming the deal leaves Britain in a 'half way house' 8.53am: Dominic Raab resigns as Brexit Secretary, saying the 'indefinite' backstop threatens to break up the Union 9.58am: Esther McVey goes as Work and Pensions Secretary, lashing the PM for a deal that 'does not honour the result of the referendum' 10.17am: Suella Braverman quits as junior Brexit minister, warning the 'concessions do do not respect the will of the people' 10.20am: Anne-Marie Trevelyan quits as an aide to the Education Secretary because the deal is 'unacceptable' to Brexit voters 10.30am: Theresa May rises in the Commons to present her Brexit deal to MPs insisting it is the best deal that could be negotiated and is in the national interest. She is battered by hostile questions on all sides for almost three hours. 11.23am: Brexiteer ringleader Jacob Rees-Mogg uses his Commons question to condemn the deal and warn Mrs May she has lost his confidence. 12.35pm: Ranil Jayawardena resigns as aide to the Justice Secretary saying the deal 'does not deliver a good and fair Brexit'. 1.44pm: Mr Rees-Mogg appears outside Parliament to announce he and the European Research Group are sending letters demanding a vote of no confidence in Theresa May. He dramatically names a series of possible successors to deliver a better Brexit - but insists it is not a coup and he is not a candidate 2.58pm: Rehman Chisti goes as the PM's trade envoy to Pakistan, saying the deal is 'contrary to our manifesto commitment' 5.22pm: Theresa May holds a Downing Street press conference vowing to see her deal through and insisting she is acting in the national interest. She defiantly says she is working to get the best deal available and MPs will have to consider their own position when it comes to a vote. 6.48pm: Aid Secretary Penny Mordaunt leaves No 10 in a Government car having not resigned despite rumours she might. Advertisement

The stand came after Dominic Raab and Esther McVey poured petrol on the raging Brexit row this morning by resigning in protest at her fledgling deal, which she forced through Cabinet during a fraught five-hour meeting last night.

They accused her of bowing to EU 'blackmail' and failing to honour the result of the referendum - with a series of other junior ministers also falling on their swords.

In devastating exchanges in the Commons minutes after the bombshells dropped, the premier was then mauled by MPs from all sides over her 'dogs dinner' plan.

And Tory Eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg signalled an all-out assault declaring he has written to the powerful Tory 1922 committee demanding a no-confidence vote. Some 16 letters have been submitted publicly so far, but they claim they have crested the threshold of 48 for triggering a ballot..

The chaos sent the Pound plunging as markets took fright at the chances of a Brexit deal receding.

In an emotional opening passage, Mrs May stressed her sense of duty to deliver Brexit in the best way for the country.

'Serving in high office is an honour and privilege. It is also a heavy responsibility – that is true at any time but especially when the stakes are so high,' she said.

'And negotiating the UK's Withdrawal of the EU after some 40 years and building from the ground up a new and enduring relationship for the good of our children and grandchildren is a matter of the highest consequence.

'It touches almost every area of our national life – a whole economy and virtually every job - the livelihoods of our fellow citizens, our integrity as a United Kingdom of four nations, our safety and security – all of these are at stake.'

Told that the Commons and her own party seemed overwhelmingly opposed to the Brexit plan she is championing, Mrs May said: 'Leadership is about taking the right decisions, not the easy ones.

'As Prime Minister my job is to bring back a deal which delivers on the vote of the British people. That does that by ending free movement – all the things I raised in my statement, ending free movement, ensuring we are not sending vast annual sums to the EU any longer, ending the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, but that also protects jobs, protects people's livelihoods, protects our security, protects the union of the United Kingdom.

'I believe this is a deal that does deliver that, which is in the national interest.'

Mrs May - a keen cricket fan - also compared herself to her hero Geoffrey Boycott, who was known for his obstinate and slow-scoring innings. 'He stuck to it, and got the runs in the end,' she joked.

At a meeting of the powerful Conservative ERG group this afternoon also attended by Boris Johnson, Mr Rees-Mogg confirmed that he had put in his letter, saying Mrs May had 'failed to meet her promises' and it was 'too late' for her to turn it around.

And at a press conference afterwards he denying mounting a 'coup' but said: 'This is not Brexit. This is a failure of government policy.'

The hardline Brexiteer ruled out running in any leadership contest - picking out Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab, David Davis and Penny Mordaunt as contenders.

MailOnline has learned government whips are now canvassing MPs on which way they will vote - suggesting they believe the trigger threshold of 48 letters has been reached. Downing Street insisted she will fight if a challenge is held. If she does not secure backing from a majority of MPs a full leadership contest would be triggered.

A party vote of no confidence would take a matter of days. But if May loses, a leadership contest could take months - although some MPs claim it can be done in as little as two weeks.

In an another day of fast-moving high drama at Westminster:

Despite Brexiteer and Remainer MPs from across parties lining up to condemn her plans in the Commons, the PM defiantly pledged she would carry on in the 'national interest' even if the compromises involved were not 'comfortable'.

'I will bring it to Parliament and ask MPs to consider it in the national interest,' she said.

'The choice is clear. We can choose to leave with no deal. We can have no Brexit at all. Or we can choose to unite and support the best deal that can be negotiated.'

'I choose to deliver for the British people. I choose to do what is in the national interest.'

But barely any MPs spoke up for Mrs May's position - further fuelling fears of a fatal threat to her leadership.

In signs of increasing desperation, there are claims that Mrs May offered Michael Gove the Brexit Secretary job in a bid to stop him walking out - but he turned it down.

Despite ERG head Mr Rees-Mogg, former minister Steve Baker and backbencher Henry Smith confirming their letters had gone in, other senior figures said there was still a 'difference of opinion' over whether Mrs May should be challenged.

Veteran Brexiteer Sir Edward Leigh said: 'If you succeed in this coup detat you just strengthen her opinion. There is also the question of loyalty. The problem is intractable.

'I believe we should stop this deal by voting it down in Parliament.'

'Indeed it doesn't meet the tests you set from the outset of your premiership,' she added.

Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab (left) dropped the bombshell news on the morning after the PM forced the terms of her proposed plan through Cabinet in a stormy five-hour meeting. Esther McVey (right) followed suit with her resignation shortly afterwards

Mrs May faced an agonising barrage from Eurosceptics today as questions mounted about whether she can hold her Brexit deal together

Business chiefs breathe 'sigh of relief' at deal Business leaders backed Theresa May's Brexit plan, saying it was 'night and day better' than crashing out of the EU without a deal. As the Prime Minister faced Cabinet resignations and anger from Tory MPs, figures from the City and industry rallied behind her proposals. They claimed the deal would prevent a 'cliff edge' on March 29, adding a wave of pent-up investment could be unleashed if a deal was finally secured. Key bosses were briefed on Mrs May's proposals by Chancellor Philip Hammond and Business Secretary Greg Clark. One of them, Aston Martin chief Andy Palmer, said he breathed 'a sigh of relief' after the call. The 55-year-old said: 'This deal is night and day better than a no-deal Brexit. It would appear to operate as a tariff-free border, and the transition part gives us time to understand that. It appears to meet all our requests.' He was followed by other captains of industry who welcomed Mrs May's draft agreement and called for politicians to provide certainty. Tom Enders, chief executive of Airbus, said: 'The announcement of a draft Brexit withdrawal agreement is a welcome first step forwards. 'We look forward to further clarity and the removal of uncertainty as soon as possible so that Airbus, like every business in the UK, can properly plan for the future.' John McFarlane, chair of Barclays and TheCityUK lobby group, said: 'This is constructive progress and presents a pragmatic and workable solution. We appreciate there needed to be compromises but this is infinitely better than severe and unpredictable damage from a no-deal outcome.' Sir Roger Carr, chairman of aerospace giant BAE Systems, said: 'It's something that had the key elements of what people were looking for, particularly in the sense of a pathway to frictionless trade, control of our borders and preservation of the UK.' The Health Secretary yesterday refused to rule out the possibility that people could die because of medical shortages if there is a no-deal Brexit. Matt Hancock declined three times to say that crashing out of the EU without a deal would not lead to deaths – and he warned that no deal would be 'not pretty' for patients. Health chiefs have been warning for months of the dangers of supplies of medicines running out. Advertisement

In interviews today, Mr Raab played down calls for a change in the leadership saying he had 'respect' for Mrs May and 'supports this Prime Minister'.

'I remain loyal to this Prime Minister, I want her to stay in office,' he told Sky News.

Mr Raab is understood to have endorsed the draft deal 'with a heavy heart' at a fraught five-hour Cabinet meeting yesterday, but harboured deep concerns about the UK being locked into the Irish border 'backstop'.

In his resignation letter, Mr Raab - who only succeeded David Davis in the post in July - said he had 'enduring respect' for Mrs May but added: 'I cannot in good conscience support the terms proposed for our deal with the EU.'

Ms McVey, who made what was described as an 'emotional' assault on the Brexit deal during Cabinet yesterday, said in her letter that it did not 'honour the result of the referendum'.

The resignations came in quick succession after Northern Ireland minister Shailesh Vara announced his departure, this morning claiming Mrs May is trying to 'shackle' Britain to the EU 'indefinitely'.

Brexit minister Suella Braverman has quit, as has ministerial aide Anne-Marie Trevelyan - a strong supporter of Boris Johnson.

Aid Secretary Penny Mordaunt is also believed to be on the edge. She was in the Commons chamber this morning answering questions on her brief.

Fevered speculation erupted after Mr Gove cancelled a visit in Yorkshire, although aides insisted it was for personal reasons. They did not respond to questions about whether he was quitting.

As rumours swept Westminster today, there are claims Mr Gove has been offered the Brexit Secretary job but is insisting he should be able to renegotiate the deal with the EU.

Remainer Tory MP Anna Soubry said Mr Raab's resignation 'marks the end of PMs Withdrawal Agreement' and called for a 'government of national unity'.

The mounting crisis is on the verge of torpedoing the entire package painstakingly thrashed out with Brussels over two years - and throwing Mrs May herself out of power.

EU council leader Donald Tusk nodded to the problems this morning as he said a summit to sign off the deal will happen on November 25 'if nothing extraordinary happens'.

In a pointed aside later, he told reporters later: 'The EU is prepared for a final deal with the United Kingdom in November,' he told a news conference in Brussels.

'We are also prepared for a no-deal scenario but of course we are best prepared for a no-Brexit scenario.'

In his resignation letter, Mr Raab said: 'I regret to say that, following the Cabinet meeting yesterday on the Brexit deal, I must resign.

'I understand why you have chosen to pursue the deal with the EU on the terms proposed, and I respect the different views held in good faith by all of our colleagues.

'For my part, I cannot support the proposed deal for two reasons. First, I believe that the regulatory regime proposed for Northern Ireland presents a very real threat to the integrity of the United Kingdom.

'Second, I cannot support an indefinite backstop arrangement, where the EU holds a veto over our ability to exit.

'The terms of the backstop amount to a hybrid of the EU Customs Union and Single Market obligations.

Aid Secretary Penny Mordaunt is also believed to be on the edge, but she was in the Commons chamber this morning answering questions on her brief

How Brexiteers would get rid of Theresa May: The Tory Party rules on holding a vote of no confidence and replacing her with a new leader Brexiteers have attempted a coup against Theresa May in fury at her draft deal with the EU - but they will have to navigate Tory rules to force her out. The Prime Minister insisted she plans to 'see this through' to make clear to the rebels she will not quit voluntarily. This is how the Tory Party rules work: What is the mechanism for removing the Tory leader? Tory Party rules allow the MPs to force a vote of no confidence in their leader. How is that triggered? A vote is in the hands of the chairman of the Tory Party's backbench 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady. A vote of no confidence must be held if 15 per cent of Tory MPs write to the chairman. Currently that threshold is 48 MPs. Letters are confidential unless the MP sending it makes it public. This means only Sir Graham knows how many letters there are. This possible delay could give Mrs May a 'grace period' where she knows a contest is imminent but not yet public knowledge. A vote is in the hands of the chairman of the Tory Party's backbench 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady (file image) How is a vote announced? There are few fixed rules but Sir Graham is likely to inform Downing Street or the Chief Whip and then make a public announcement. Sir Graham is likely to check with the MPs who have sent him a letter before making an announcement in case any of them want to withdraw. This will happen secretly. How will the vote happen? After it is announced, a vote will happen quickly, with Tory MPs invited to cast a secret ballot in a Commons committee room. Voting will be open for one day and Sir Graham will announce the result at the end. Brexiteers have attempted a coup against Theresa May What needs to happen for Theresa May to win? Officially, Mrs May only needs to win a simple majority of Tory MPs - currently that is 158 MPs. Politically, winning by one would be devastating. If more than 100 MPs vote against her, most observers think she would be finished. What happens if she loses? Mrs May is sacked as Tory leader and Sir Graham will announce a leadership contest. She cannot stand in the contest. She will probably stay on as Prime Minister until a replacement is elected but have no political power or authority to do anything. What happens next? In a Tory leadership contest, any MP can stand with a proposer and seconder. Tory MPs vote several times a week on the candidates with the last place candidate being removed from the race at each ballot. When there are only two candidates remaining, a run off is held among all Tory members in the country. How long will it take? The first phase depends on how many candidates there are. A large field could mean a fortnight or more of regular ballots. In the past, the second round has taken anywhere from four to 12 twelve weeks - but some think a vote of Tory members could be finished in just a week. Advertisement

'No democratic nation has ever signed up to be bound by such an extensive regime, imposed externally without any democratic control over the laws to be applied, nor the ability to decide to exit the arrangement.

'That arrangement is no also taken as the starting point for negotiating the Future Economic partnership.

'If we accept that, it will severely prejudice the second phase of negotiations against the UK.'

Mr Vara said the draft agreement 'leaves the UK in a halfway house with no time limit on when we will finally be a sovereign nation'.

In an eviscerating resignation letter he added: 'We are a proud nation and it is a sad day when we are reduced to obeying rules made by other countries who have shown that they do not have our best interests at heart. We must and can do better than this'.

Mrs May acknowledged last night that she has 'difficult days' ahead with Brexiteers in her party openly plotting to topple her - while warning: 'It is this or Jeremy Corbyn.'

But Mrs May appeared unprepared for the sheer volume of fury that greeted her in the Commons today.

The DUP's deputy leader Nigel Dodds accused her of failing to 'listen' and putting the United Kingdom at risk.

He told MPs: 'I could today stand here and take the Prime Minister through the list of promises and pledges she made to this house and to us, privately, about the future of Northern Ireland in the future relationship with the EU.

'But I fear it would be a waste of time since she clearly doesn't listen.'

He went on: 'The choice is now clear: we stand up for the United Kingdom, the whole of the United Kingdom, the integrity of the United Kingdom, or we vote for a vassal state with the breakup of the United Kingdom, that is the choice.'

Tory Eurosceptic Mark Francois told her she must recognise that her Brexit plan is 'dead on arrival'.

During the three Just a handful of MPs spoke up in support - underlining the depth of her problems.

And a jubilant Mr Corbyn punched the bruise, despite his own party being in a shambles over Brexit.

'After two years of bungled negotiations the Government has produced a botched deal that breaches the Prime Minister's own red lines and does not meet our six tests,' he told MPs.

'The Government is in chaos. Their deal risks leaving the country in an indefinite halfway house without a real say.

'When even the last Brexit Secretary, who theoretically at least negotiated the deal, says 'I cannot support the proposed deal', what faith does that give anyone else in this place or in this country?

'The Government simply cannot put to Parliament this half-baked deal that both the Brexit Secretary and his predecessor have rejected.

'No-deal is not a real option and the Government has not seriously prepared for it.'

Mr Rees-Mogg said last night that he was 'closer than ever' to sending a letter of no-confidence to the 1922 Committee chairman - a threat on which he has now made good.

Speaking to journalists today, Mr Rees-Mogg said the leader can change in quickly, adding: 'I think the process can be sped up'.

Asked who he would like to see as leader, he said: 'We will have to see who throws their hat in the ring. It needs to be somebody who believes in Brexit. We have seen from Mrs May's experience that leading when you don't believe in Brexit makes it very difficult because you make the wrong compromises.'

He said he would not run, saying: 'This is not why I am sending in the letter. It has never been about me it has always been about Brexit.'

But he said that many of the Cabinet ministers who have quit over Brexit would be good leaders.

He said: 'Dominic Raab is a very impressive individual who has shown his courage through his resignation.

'Boris Johnson is a very impressive individual, ditto, Penny Mordaunt, ditto, Esther McVey is absolutely splendid. And it just shows the widespread ability the Conservative Party has – the very good people we have who would make very fine leaders.'

He said if a new leader is elected they should return to Brussels and say 'look you have offered us a free trade deal, we are happy to make a financial settlement in return for it'.

Mr Rees-Mogg published his letter as he urged Tory MPs to oust her over the controversial Brexit plan with the EU

May's former aid accuses her of 'capitulating' to EU The PM's former chief of staff has accused her of 'capitulation' in the Brexit talks. Nick Timothy, who resigned after the botched election, admitted compromises were 'inevitable' in the negotiations. But he told the Telegraph: 'It is a capitulation not only to Brussels, but to the fears of the British negotiators themselves, who have shown by their actions that they never believed Brexit can be a success. 'This includes, I say with the heaviest of hearts, the Prime Minister.' He hinted the UK should be prepared to threaten Brussels with reduced security co-operation to secure a better deal. 'With the stakes raised so high, the Government should be prepared, at last, to use all its leverage, including Britain's contribution to European security,' he said. 'When Parliament rejects the Prime Minister's proposal, as surely it will, there will still be time for ministers to negotiate something better.' Advertisement

Asked about how many letters he thinks have gone in, Mr Rees-Mogg said: 'I think the number is growing. And unexpected people are putting them in.

'I have put it in and I have done it publicly because I think when you do something like that you ought to be open about it. It is a very important decision.'

'The key is that people don't want this dl. As you discovered in the Chamber of the House of Commons there is absolutely no support for this deal.'

Asked what the chances are that the PM will survive, he said: 'It is always difficult. They turn out to be like weather forecasts.'

At a chaotic press conference, Mr Rees-Mogg said that he believed the necessary 48 letters to trigger a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister would be submitted, but declined to put a timeframe on the process.

If Mrs May was rejected by MPs, a vote to choose her successor could be conducted in 'not months but weeks', he said.

Asked why he was defying calls for party unity, he said: 'People always call for unity when the policy they are following is wrong.

'It is a standard pattern of Conservatives when they note that failure is in the air.'

He said that Dominic Raab should not be blamed for the deal negotiated with Brussels, as it was clear that the process was driven by Downing Street.

There was no point appointing a new Brexit Secretary, he said.

Mr Rees-Mogg said: 'The key is, if 48 letters go in it shows there are 48 people who will not vote for this deal. That in itself is a pretty powerful statement.'

Pros and cons of a divisive Brexit pact The positives... Strong trade ties Downing Street pointed to zero tariffs and quotas on trade. One senior official said the UK would be ‘the only major advanced economy’ which has that relationship with the European Union. Staying in close alignment to EU rules was the price for reducing any damage to trade from ‘friction’ at the border and protecting industries which rely on swift movement of parts, such as car manufacturers. End to free movement A key demand for many who voted Leave, and something Mrs May would not compromise on. Future immigration rules – to come in when transition ends in 2020 – were not included in these negotiations, so the UK has flexibility to set its own after that point. The EU will push for preferential treatment in return for a better trade deal. Both sides have agreed to visa-free travel for business and tourism. Strong security Mrs May hailed a deal on security co-operation ‘beyond anything the EU has agreed with any other country’. Agreement has been reached on exchanging passenger names, DNA, fingerprints, and car registration data, as well as ‘swift and effective’ arrangements for extraditing criminals to justice on both sides. Control of fishing The PM held firm on fishing rights, which are seen as totemic for many Brexiteers, in the face of furious demands from EU member states such as France and Netherlands for access to UK waters. The UK will regain control over its own waters, and can allocate a higher share of rights to domestic fishermen. In the next phase of the talks, the EU will call for continued access in return for access to its markets, where the British industry exports about 75 per cent of its haul. ... and the negatives Northern Ireland backstop To avoid a ‘hard border’ between Northern Ireland and the Republic if there’s no deal after the transition period, a so-called backstop will come into force. In the backstop, the whole of the UK would stay in the EU customs union, which would prevent damage to trade. But the province alone will have to align with single market rules on goods, and there will be new checks on trade across the Irish Sea, prompting the DUP to claim that Northern Ireland had been ‘sold out’. Dominic Raab – who quit as Brexit Secretary yesterday – said this was a ‘very real threat to the integrity of the UK’. Exit clause A panel – made up of two representatives from each side and an independent arbiter – will rule on whether the UK can end the backstop. However, this is far from enough to satisfy Brexiteers, who fear the UK could be ‘trapped’ in the EU. It means the UK can’t just walk away from the EU whenever it wants. European Court of Justice If the backstop is activated, European judges will have a say over how its customs code, technical regulations, VAT and excise, agriculture and the environment, single electricity market and state aid apply in the province. But Downing Street insists direct jurisdiction of the ECJ over Britain will end. Longer exit The deal paves the way for a smooth transition out of the EU, and avoids a no deal cliff edge. But a period that was expected to last until the end of 2020 could now be extended, meaning more money for EU coffers. Advertisement

He stressed that the European Research Group did not have a collective position on Mrs May's premiership.

Asked what his message to the Prime Minister was, he said: 'The Prime Minister said at the 1922 Committee after the election that she would serve as long as the Conservative Party wanted her to serve.

'I think there are many people in the Conservative Party, not just in Parliament but in the country at large, who feel that her service now should come to an end.

'She is a very dutiful person, she has served the country to the best of her ability but she has let us down in this deal.

'It has not delivered on what she said she would do.

'That is the key thing - it is trust that is at the heart of it. She didn't do what she said she would.'

Asked if Mrs May had lied, he said 'lied is a very harsh word'.

Senior Tories have voiced alarm that Mrs May is opening a door to Jeremy Corbyn becoming PM by sacrificing the support of the DUP in a bid to push through her 'nightmare' Brexit deal.

'We cannot survive without the DUP,' one senior MP told MailOnline. 'And this deal cannot get through unless sufficient Labour MPs vote for it.

'Corbyn smells defeat and I'm sure he will not throw her a lifeline.'

Mr Corbyn seized on the PM's weakness in the Commons today, confirming that Labour MPs will be whipped to vote against the package.

The commitment further reduces the chances of Mrs May being able to get it through in a critical Commons showdown expected in the middle of next month - if the deal survives that long.

Meanwhile in Brussels Mr Tusk revealed the EU's 27 leaders would rush to ratify the deal in ten days time - but there are still major doubts it will survive that long.

Speaking this morning he confirmed an emergency summit will take place on Sunday November 25 and said: 'Let me say to our British friends: as much as I am sad to see you leave, I will do everything to make this farewell the least painful possible, both for you and for us'.

Last night the PM emerged from a marathon Cabinet meeting to claim a decisive breakthrough and said her cabinet came to a collective decision to back the settlement with Brussels having apparently told them it was 'this or Jeremy Corbyn'

But at least 10 ministers in the bruising five-hour meeting spoke out against parts of her deal.

The cabinet meeting is said to have exploded when Ms McVey called for a formal ministerial vote during the tempestuous debate over the draft agreement before Mrs May rebuffed her.

Others who declared themselves against the plans included International Trade Minister Liam Fox, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and Home Secretary Sajid Javid.

After the Cabinet battle, which went on three hours longer than scheduled, the premier took to the steps of Downing Street admitting that the debate had been 'long and impassioned' and there were 'difficult days ahead'.

'The collective decision of Cabinet was that the government should agree the draft Withdrawal Agreement and the outline political declaration,' Mrs May said. 'I firmly believe with my head and heart that this decisive choice is in the best interests of the entire UK.'

Mrs May's reference to a 'collective' decision rather than a unanimous one immediately raised eyebrows. Around 10 ministers - nearly a third of the total - are understood to have spoken out against parts of the package, amid reports that a no confidence vote against the PM could be triggered as early as today.

Ms Mordaunt, who was thought to be among those closest to quitting, demanded assurances from the premier on key points. Defence Secretary Gavin Willliamson also expressed reservations about elements of the deal, as did Sajid Javid, Liam Fox, Jeremy Hunt and Andrea Leadsom.

But one Cabinet source told MailOnline that Ms McVey was an 'outlier' in the strength of her opposition, and appeared 'emotional'.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell had emerged as a potential risk after he signed a letter warning against giving away fishing rights as part of the agreement, but tonight confirmed that he was staying in the tent.

An ex-minister told MailOnline: 'I think a few people are holding off, will read the deal, square off their associations this weekend, then put in a letter.'

Ms McVey (left) and Mr Raab (right) announced their resignations in quick succession - raising the threat of more to follow

The Prime Minister's defiant Brexit statement in full Serving in high office is an honour and privilege. It is also a heavy responsibility. That is true at any time - but especially when the stakes are so high. And negotiating the UK's withdrawal from the EU after 40 years, and building from the ground-up a new and enduring relationship for the good of our children and grandchildren is a matter of the highest consequence. It touches almost every area of our national life: our whole economy and virtually every job; the livelihoods of our fellow citizens; our integrity as a United Kingdom of four nations; our safety and security – all of these are at stake. My approach throughout has been to put the national interest first. Not a partisan interest. And certainly not my own political interest. I do not judge harshly those of my colleagues who seek to do the same but who reach a different conclusion. They must do what they believe to be right, just as I do. I am sorry that they have chosen to leave the government and I thank them for their service. But I believe with every fibre of my being that the course I have set out is the right one for our country and all our people. From the very beginning, I have known what I wanted to deliver for the British people to honour their vote in the referendum. Full control of our borders, by bringing an end to the free movement of people – once and for all. Full control of our money, so we decide ourselves how to spend it on priorities like our NHS. Full control of our laws, by ending the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the United Kingdom. Getting us out of the Common Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy for good. That is exactly what this agreement will deliver. Free movement – ended. Vast annual payments – stopped. The jurisdiction of the ECJ – over. Out of the CAP. Out of the CFP. This is a Brexit that delivers on the priorities of the British people. In achieving these objectives, I am also determined to protect the things that are important to us. Protect the hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs that put food on the tables of working families right across the UK. Those jobs rely on cross-border trade in goods, with parts flowing easily in and out of the UK allowing for integrated supply chains. This agreement protects that. Protect the close security co-operation that helps keep us safe. This agreement does that. Protect the integrity of the United Kingdom and the peaceful settlement in Northern Ireland by leaving the EU as one United Kingdom, and having no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. This agreement does that as well. Yes, difficult and sometimes uncomfortable decisions have had to be made. I understand fully that there are some who are unhappy with those compromises. But this deal delivers what people voted for and it is in the national interest. And we can only secure it if we unite behind the agreement reached in Cabinet yesterday. If we do not move forward with that agreement, nobody can know for sure the consequences that will follow. It would be to take a path of deep and grave uncertainty when the British people just want us to get on with it. They are looking to the Conservative Party to deliver. To deliver a Brexit that works for the whole UK; a strong economy that keeps jobs safe and wages rising; and first-class public services we can rely on – an NHS there for all of us, great schools for every child and the homes that families need. That is what the people we serve expect and that is what we owe it to them to deliver. Advertisement

What happens if Theresa May's controversial Brexit deal fails to get the support of MPs? Theresa May is facing a revolt from all sides over her Brexit plans - leaving her premiership hanging by a thread. Furious Tory Brexiteers are sharpening their knives and threatening to trigger a no confidence vote. While Remainers are refusing to throw her a lifeline, and instead vowing to vote down her deal and force through a second referendum and keep the UK in the EU. This is what could happen if the PM does not manage to rally support to her deal: Theresa May abandons her deal Faced with a mutiny from her own MPs and the refusal of Labour MPs to come to her rescue, the PM could abandon her controversial Brexit plan. Mrs May could try to restart negotiations with Brussels - pleading for further concessions to get a deal which stands a chance of getting through parliament. But with the clock rapidly running down on Brexit day next March, Britain would look to be hurtling towards a no deal Brexit. With her deal in tatters and her authority hammered, it would be hard to imagine that Mrs May could limp on as Prime Minister, clearing the way for a potentially bitter Tory leadership election and potentially a General Election. Parliament votes down the deal: If the PM refuses to bow to pressure and sticks with her under-fire agreement, then it will go to a vote of Parliament early next month. But faced with overwhelming opposition from Tory Brexiteers, Labour Remainers and the 10 DUP MPs propping her up in No10, she simply does not look to have the numbers to win. If the deal is voted down, then Mrs May's authority would be shredded and she would almost certainly have to quit as PM. This would also trigger a potentially bitter Tory leadership contest just as Britain was heading for a no deal Brexit. It would also fuel calls for a second referendum to be held, as Remainers would warn that the political chaos gripping Britain means the public must be asked again if they actually want to leave the bloc. Theresa May is hit with a no confidence vote: Seething Brexiteers are busy circling to oust the PM and have warned that the rest of the 48 letters needed to trigger a no confidence vote could be sent in by the end of the day. If a ballot is triggered, then 158 Tory MPs would need to vote against Mrs May to oust her - firing the gun on a new Tory leadership contest just two years after the last one. Westminster is awash with rumours that Mrs May could trigger the no confidence vote herself - as she does a 'John Major' and asks her MPs to 'put up or shut up'. If she wins then Tory MPs will have to wait 12 months before they can mount another bid to oust her. Advertisement

Who could replace Theresa May? As the PM admits she will have to quit soon, these are some of the leading contenders to take over Theresa May won her Tory confidence vote after promising not to lead the party into the 2022 general election. These are some of the leading contenders to replace her: Boris Johnson - 7/2 How did they vote on Brexit? Led the Vote Leave campaign alongside Michael Gove. What is their view now? Hard line Brexiteer demanding a clean break from Brussels. The former foreign secretary is violently opposed to Theresa May's Chequers plan and a leading voice demanding a Canada-style trade deal. What are their chances? Mr Johnson's biggest challenge could be navigating the Tory leadership rules. He may be confident of winning a run-off among Tory members but must first be selected as one of the top two candidates by Conservative MPs. Now rated as favourite by the bookies, Boris Johnson's (pictured leaving parliament last night) biggest challenge will be navigating the Tory leadership rules Dominic Raab - 9/2 How did they vote on Brexit? Leave, with a second tier role campaigning for Vote Leave. What is their view now? Mr Raab was installed as Brexit Secretary to deliver the Chequers plan but sensationally resigned last month saying the deal was not good enough. What are their chances? His resignation from the Cabinet put rocket boosters under Mr Raab's chances, fuelling his popularity among the hardline Brexiteers. May struggle to overcome bigger beasts and better known figures. Newly installed as Brexit Secretary, Dominic Raab (pictured on Tuesday) is trying to negotiate Theresa May's Brexit deal Sajid Javid - 5/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Remain but kept a low profile in the referendum. What is their view now? Pro delivering Brexit and sceptical of the soft Brexit options. What are their chances? Probably the leading candidate from inside the Cabinet after his dramatic promotion to Home Secretary. Mr Javid has set himself apart from Mrs May on a series of policies, notably immigration. Sajid Javid (pictured leaving the Houses of Parliament this evening) is probably the leading candidate from inside the Cabinet after his dramatic promotion to Home Secretary Michael Gove - 7/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Leave What is their view now? He has said Theresa May's Chequers blueprint for Brexit is the 'right one for now'. But he recently suggested a future prime minister could alter the UK-EU relationship if they desired. What are their chances? He came third in the first round of voting in 2016, trailing behind ultimate winner Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom. Mr Gove has said it is 'extremely unlikely' that he would stand again. But he popular in the party and is seen as an ideas man and a reformer by many, and he could change his mind if Theresa May is shown the door. Michael Gove appeared to rule himself out of the race in recent days, but he ran last time and is popular among many in the party. He is pictured outside the Houses of Parliament today Jeremy Hunt - 7/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Remain. What is their view now? The Foreign Secretary claims the EU Commission's 'arrogance' has made him a Brexiteer. What are their chances? Another top contender inside Cabinet, Mr Hunt's stock rose during his record-breaking stint at the Department of Health and won a major promotion to the Foreign Office after Mr Johnson's resignation. Widely seen as a safe pair of hands which could be an advantage if the contest comes suddenly. Jeremy Hunt's stock rose during his record-breaking stint at the Department of Health and won a major promotion to the Foreign Office after Mr Johnson's resignation David Davis - 10/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Leave. What is their view now? Leave and a supporter of scrapping Mrs May's plan and pursuing a Canada-style trade deal with the EU. What are their chances? The favoured choice of many hard Brexiteers. Seen as a safer pair of hands than Mr Johnson and across the detail of the current negotiation after two years as Brexit Secretary. He could be promoted a caretaker to see through Brexit before standing down. Unlikely to be the choice of Remain supporters inside the Tory Party - and has been rejected by the Tory membership before, in the 2005 race against David Cameron. David Davis (pictured outside the Houses of Parliament today) is seen as a safer pair of hands than Mr Johnson and across the detail of the current negotiation after two years as Brexit Secretary Amber Rudd - 14/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Remain. Represented Britain Stronger in Europe in the TV debates. What is their view now? Strongly remain and supportive of a second referendum - particularly given a choice between that and no deal. What are their chances? Popular among Conservative MPs as the voice of Cameron-style Toryism, Ms Rudd is still seen as a contender despite resigning amid the Windrush scandal - and she was boosted further by her return to Cabinet as Work and Pensions Secretary on Friday night. She is badly hampered by having a tiny majority in her Hastings constituency and would not be able to unite the Tory party in a sudden contest over the Brexit negotiation. Popular among Conservative MPs as the voice of Cameron-style Toryism, Amber Rudd (pictured leaving parliament this evening) is still seen as a contender despite resigning amid the Windrush scandal Jacob Rees-Mogg - 14/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Leave. What is their view now? Leave and recently branded Theresa May's Brexit U-turn a 'humiliation' which has left her deal 'defeated'. What are their chances? As chair of the European Research Group (ERG) bloc of Tory Eurosceptics he has been urging MPs to replace Mrs May for weeks. Pro-Brexit supporter, Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, walks through members of the media and anit-brexit demonstrators as he walks near to the Houses of Parliament in London yesterday Penny Mordaunt - 14/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Leave. What is their view now? Leave and subject of persistent rumour she could be the next to quit Cabinet over Mrs May's Brexit deal. What are their chances? Possible dark horse in the contest, Ms Mordaunt is not well known to the public but is seen as a contender in Westminster. Known to harbour deep concerns about Mrs May's Brexit deal, but has stopped short of resigning from Cabinet. Possible dark horse in the contest, Penny Mordaunt (pictured in Downing Street) is not well known to the public but is seen as a contender in Westminster Andrea Leadsom - 16/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Leave. What is their view now? Ms Leadsom said in late November that she was backing the withdrawal agreement struck with Brussels because it 'delivered' on the referendum result. What are their chances? Leader of the Commons since June, Andrea Leadsom found herself at the centre of controversy in the 2016 leadership campaign when comments she made were interpreted as a claim that she would be a better PM than Mrs May because she was a mother. Asked recently whether Mrs May was the right person to be leading the country, she said she is 'at the moment'. Andrea Leadsom, Leader of the House of Commons, arrives at Downing Street on Thursday last week Gavin Williamson - 33/1 How did they vote on Brexit? Remain. What is their view now? Mr Williamson tweeted today: 'The Prime Minister has my full support. She works relentlessly hard for our country and is the best person to make sure we leave the EU on 29 March and continue to deliver our domestic agenda.' What are their chances? He backed Remain in the referendum and pledged his support for Mrs May in the 2016 leadership contest but has since been mentioned as a potential future Tory leader. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson is a 33/1 outsider according to the best odds by bookies this evening Advertisement