Theresa May is back in London after claiming victory and securing 'legally binding changes' to the Irish border backstop after a dramatic last-minute dash to Strasbourg.

The Prime Minister was seen smiling as she was swept into Downing Street in the early hours of this morning - but whether her breakthrough will convince Brexiteers and the DUP to vote through her deal is still uncertain.

Last night, at a joint press conference with Jean-Claude Juncker, Mrs May said her deal 'delivers on the decision of the British people to leave the European Union' and appealed for MPs to back it at 7pm tonight.

Tory Brexiteer rebels and the DUP have worked through the night before deciding whether to back for the deal when it is voted on.

The changes fall short of Mrs May's promises to reopen the deal demands for the backstop to be scrapped altogether.

But Mrs May told her fractious MPs: 'Today we have secured legal changes. Now is the time to come together, to back this improved Brexit deal, and to deliver on the instruction of the British people.'

Sitting alongside the PM at the late-night press conference, Mr Juncker warned MPs if they do not back the deal tomorrow night 'there will be no third chance' and warned: 'It is this deal or Brexit might not happen at all.'

A smiling Theresa May arrives back at Downing Street this morning after a breakthrough with the EU last night ahead of a crucial vote now hours away

Theresa May announced tonight she does have 'legally binding changes' to the Irish border backstop after a last minute dash to Strasbourg ended in an appearance with Jean Claude Juncker

At a joint press conference with Jean-Claude Juncker, Mrs May said her deal 'delivers on the decision of the British people to leave the European Union' and appealed for MPs to back it at 7pm tonight

David Lidington (pictured tonight in the Commons) said the Government did have 'legally binding changes' that 'strengthen and improve' the divorce deal - but admitted the negotiation was not yet over

There are three new documents following tonight's breakthrough.

What is the new deal announced by May tonight? What are the changes to the deal? David Lidington told MPs there were two new documents attached to the Brexit deal that change the backstop part of the divorce agreement. Theresa May then announced a third document at a joint press conference with Jean-Claude Juncker . None of the new documents change either the Withdrawal Agreement or the Political Declaration on the Future Relationship agreed in November. The new documents are: A joint legally binding 'instrument' that is based on promises from Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk the backstop cannot be permanent and should be replaced by 'alternative arrangements' by 2020.

A joint statement adding to the political statement about the future UK-EU relationship, committing both sides to 'enhance and expedite' the trade talks on the final status.

A unilateral statement by Britain that if the backstop ever kicked in, the UK would introduce measures to ensure it is 'disapplied'. This means measures to ensure an open border - but does not specify what they are. What do the changes mean? Lidington said they 'strengthen and improve' the deal and amount to 'legally binding changes'. The Attorney General is due to produce new legal advice tomorrow. Will they persuade Tory rebels? It is too soon to tell. Tory hardliners will pass the documents to a group of their own lawyers and they will make a decision today. Advertisement

The first set out a legal duty on both UK and EU to work on an alternative to the backstop by 2020 while the second says both sides must work more quickly on the trade talks phase of Brexit.

Third, Britain makes a unilateral declaration that if the backstop ever comes into force the UK Government will find a way to get out of it without EU help.

This appears to mean Britain will have to find a way of keeping an open border without breaking either the Good Friday Agreement or EU law - whether or not there is a UK-EU trade deal.

The intention of the changes is to persuade MPs that the Irish border backstop - part of the divorce deal intended to rule out forever a hard border in Ireland - cannot be permanent if UK-EU trade talks fail.

Mr Juncker said the deal had been on the table for '105 days' and insisted he hoped the 'meaningful clarifications' on the backstop would ease the 'difficult' passage of the deal in the UK.

He insisted in the backstop were 'ever to be used it would never be a trap' - insisting tonight's agreement has 'legal force' and 'complements the withdrawal agreement without reopening it'.

Back in London, Mrs May's deputy told the Commons the changes to the Irish border backstop 'strengthen and improve' the divorce deal that was first defeated in January by 230 votes.

Mr Lidington told MPs 'two new documents' setting out the changes were being laid in Parliament last night - meaning they can be voted on as Mrs May finally brings back her deal for a second vote.

He promised MPs that new legal advice from the Attorney General would be available before they vote tonight.

But Mr Lidington told the Commons: 'There will be a fundamental choice: to vote for the improved deal or to plunge the country into crisis.'

Theresa May, Jean-Claude Juncker and Michel Barnier emerged from talks last night to announce there was a new package on the backstop

Mr Juncker said the deal had been on the table for '105 days' and insisted he hoped the 'meaningful clarifications' on the backstop would ease the 'difficult' passage of the deal in the UK

The changes outlined by Mr Lidington fall far short of Mrs May's original promise to reopen the divorce agreement or the demands of Brexiteers for the backstop to be scrapped.

The legal advice will be crucial to whether Tory Brexiteer rebels and the DUP are finally prepared to back down and vote for the deal. Most in Westminster expect Mrs May to have fallen short.

Tonight's announcement came after dramatic scenes as Mrs May swept into Strasbourg at around 8pm for last-ditch Brexit talks with Jean-Claude Juncker. She is expected to make her own statement later.

Mrs May flew to France for the talks after making the snap decision at around 5pm there was a chance of a breakthrough with face to face talks.

Amid speculation about concessions from the EU, the Irish Government called a surprise emergency Cabinet meeting in Dublin.

And back in London Mrs May's ministers were also meeting as the PM held her talks with EU leaders.

MPs are due to vote on the Brexit deal for a second time tonight. Many expect they will inflict another heavy defeat on May - sparking votes to block no deal and delay Brexit on Wednesday and Thursday.

Theresa May arrived in Strasbourg last night for last-ditch Brexit talks with Jean-Claude Juncker

She flew to Strasbourg for the talks after making the snap decision at around 5pm there was a chance of a breakthrough with face to face talks

The Prime Minister was greeted in Strasbourg by EU negotiator Michel Barnier

Announcing the changes, Mr Lidington told MPs: 'Tonight we will be laying two new documents in the House; a joint legally-binding instrument on the Withdrawal Agreement and protocol on Northern Ireland and a joint statement to supplement the political declaration.'

What are MPs voting on tomorrow? What is the vote tomorrow? Theresa May has promised to hold a vote on whether or not to approve her deal tomorrow. Passing it is an essential part of making the deal law. Technically the vote has to happen at some point because of the law in Section 13 of the EU Withdrawal Action 2018. What will MPs vote on? The Government has tabled a motion that broadly says MPs 'approve' the deal. The motion refer to documents that make up the deal - including the two new documents about the backstop. Both the motion and the documents have to be tabled in Parliament today, before the Commons finishes for the night. Can it be amended? Yes. MPs can re-write the motion to say they 'approve' the deal subject to conditions, or to say they 'decline to approve' it for whatever reason. Can May amend it? Yes, potentially. May could table an amendment to her own motion or endorse an amendment tabled by a friendly backbench MP if the new agreements look set to fail. Why would she do that? An amendment could be used to send a political signal to Brussels on what is needed to pass the motion unamended. It would probably mean a third vote was needed - but this is legally ambiguous. Advertisement

He added: 'The second document is a joint statement supplementing the Political Declaration, which outlines a number of commitments by the United Kingdom and the European Union to enhance and expedite the process of negotiating and bringing into force the future relationship - for example, it makes reference to the possibility of provisional application of such future agreement - and it sets out in detail how the specific negotiating track on alternative arrangements will operate.

'Negotiations are continuing, and the Government will provide an update to the House at the earliest opportunity should there be further changes.'

He concluded by saying: 'The House was clear on the need for legally-binding changes to the backstop. Today we have secured these changes.

'Now is the time to come together, to back this improved Brexit deal and deliver on the instruction of the British people.'

The new documents are based on a letter from Mr Juncker and EU Council President Donald Tusk sent in January in an effort to reassure MPs.

The letter has been turned into legal text alongside a new UK-EU joint statement on how the backstop should work.

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the change 'adds nothing' from the letter Mrs May returned from negotiations with on January 14.

He said: 'If all that's happening is to turn this letter into an interpretative tool for legal purposes, I remind the House what the Prime Minister said on January 14 about this letter.

'She said she had been advised this letter would have legal force in international law.

'To stand here today and say this is a significant change when she's repeating what she said on January 14 is not going to take anyone here far.'

Shortly before Mrs May's trip was confirmed leading Brexiteers including Steve Baker and Iain Duncan Smith were in Downing Street for talks on what was on offer.

Tory Brexiteers and the DUP have asked eight lawyers - including DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds - to consider promised new legal advice from Attorney General Geoffrey Cox before deciding whether to kill the deal.

The so-called star chamber could work through the night to decide a position.

They will rule around 5pm tonight on what to do when the Meaningful Vote is called at 7pm.

With the fate of Brexit hanging in the balance, Mrs May spent her afternoon at Westminster Abbey marking Commonwealth Day alongside the Queen, and read a passage from the Bible that could be viewed as significant to Brexit.

Reading from Corinthians 12: 14-26, she told the congregation: 'The body does not consist of one member but of many... If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it.'

Mrs May's 11th hour dash came as EU sources said ambassadors of the 27 member states were told a deal over the Irish backstop had been done with Britain on Saturday - but was rejected by ministers 24 hours later.

An insider at the Brussels briefing said yesterday: 'On Saturday evening, it seemed negotiating teams are close to an agreement.

'But eventually, PM May had failed to convince her cabinet, which she conveyed to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker during their phone call on Sunday evening.'

UK government sources said they did not recognise the account - insisting the negotiating process did not involve ministerial vetoes.

Earlier yesterday the PM was forced to confirm she would hold the 'meaningful vote' on her Brexit deal tomorrow, despite facing another humbling Commons defeat of her deal as it currently stands and burgeoning calls to quit.

Speculation had been rife that the Prime Minister would cancel it to avoid the humiliation of losing by 100-plus votes until Downing Street quashed the rumour in the morning.

Mrs May flew to north east France on a BAe 146 jet from the Royal Air Force's 32 Squadron, also known as The Royal Squadron because it usually flies the Queen and other senior Royals

Theresa May boarded her jet at RAF Northolt alongside close aides last night for the make or break trip to Strasbourg (pictured)

The Prime Minister flew from RAF Northolt (pictured) and met Jean-Claude Juncker on arrival at 8pm.

Mrs May spent her afternoon at Westminster Abbey (pictured) marking Commonwealth Day alongside the Queen, and read a passage from the Bible that could be viewed as significant to Brexit

Jean-Claude Juncker spoke to the PM yesterday and she called off a Brussels dash

EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier said today yesterday not the EU

The three key pillars that might save Prime Minister Theresa May THE EXIT MECHANISM What it is: A legally binding text, added to the withdrawal agreement, which sets out the temporary nature of the Northern Ireland backstop. Known as a ‘joint interpretative instrument’, it states that the EU ‘cannot act with the intention of applying the backstop indefinitely’. If it did so, the UK could challenge it through arbitration and – ultimately – get out. What it means: Legal advice on the deal from the Attorney General Geoffrey Cox warned that the UK could in theory become trapped indefinitely in the controversial backstop. This attempts to reassure MPs, especially in the Eurosceptic European Research Group, by showing a clear – and legally binding – escape route. It also gives more weight to moves to replace the backstop with technological solutions. THE UNILATERAL DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE What it is: A UK-only document that sets out in explicit terms the temporary nature of the backstop. It makes clear that the UK Government’s understanding is that there is nothing to stop Britain unilaterally leaving the backstop if it appears to be becoming permanent. What it means: This document makes clear the UK’s view that we can’t be trapped in the backstop. Although not legally binding over the EU, it would set out in unambiguous terms that a future government can decide to leave at any point if there was no prospect of escaping via a trade deal. THE ASSURANCES LETTER What it is: On January 14, Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker wrote to Theresa May in a bid to address UK concerns about the backstop and give reassurances that it would only be temporary. It was dismissed at the time because it was not legally binding, but the new deal puts it in binding legal form. What it means: The letter contains assurances about the temporary nature of the backstop, that the EU would use its ‘best endeavours’ to do a deal, and that it would only be in place as long as ‘strictly necessary’. It also makes clear the EU will give priority to finding technological alternatives to the backstop, a critical element for hardline Eurosceptics. It makes clear the backstop cannot ‘supercede’ the Good Friday Agreement. Putting these assurances on a legal footing could be crucial. Advertisement

The PM's spokesman has insisted that Brexit talks are 'continuing' after she spoke to Mr Juncker twice in 24 hours and she will travel to Strasbourg later, Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said in Dublin yesterday afternoon.

But in a bad omen for Britain earlier the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier insisted negotiations were over for now, adding: 'The talks are now between the UK government and MPs'.

The Prime Minister's spokesman revealed today's vote will go ahead after MPs including Tory Remainer Nick Boles warned she could face a Commons vote of no confidence and potentially be ousted if she pulled it.

Mrs May was urged by loyal Conservative MPs to stop the vote on her deal in the Commons tomorrow night because it is 'inevitable' it will be defeated.

But the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'The meaningful vote will take place tomorrow. The motion will be tabled today ahead of that debate taking place.'

He added: 'I seriously caution against speculating what this motion will look like'.

If her deal is defeated as expected today, MPs are due to be given a vote on blocking no deal on Wednesday and delaying Brexit by extending Article 50 by a few months on Thursday – both paving the way for a softer Brexit.

Amid the chaos in Westminster a minister will have to answer questions on the state of negotiations later after Speaker John Bercow granted an urgent question (UQ) to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

In a signal Mrs May is still working to win over Tory MPs as well as holding talks with Brussels, Sir Graham Brady - the shop steward of Conservative MPs - was in Downing Street yesterday (pictured)

Brexiteer ministers Liam Fox and Michael Gove were both in Downing Street for meetings as the Government faced its 'doomsday' week

EU claims a Brexit deal was close over the weekend but Theresa May's cabinet ruled it out A Brexit deal seemed close on Saturday after the EU indicated legal ways for London to unilaterally leave the contentious Irish border backstop -but the plan was rejected by Theresa May's cabinet, it was claimed today. The bloc's Brexit negotiators on Monday updated envoys of the 27 states staying in the European Union after Brexit on the status of the talks, which have stalled just 18 days before Britain is due to leave on March 29. May's parliament is due to hold a new series of votes on Brexit starting on Tuesday but the sides are at loggerheads over the so-called backstop, or an emergency fix aimed at avoiding controls on the sensitive Irish border after Brexit. 'On Saturday evening, it seemed negotiating teams are close to an agreement,' the ambassadors were told, according to a source briefed on the closed-doors meeting. 'But eventually, PM May had failed to convince her cabinet, which she conveyed to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker during their phone call on Sunday evening.' The 27 national EU leaders will discuss Brexit in Brussels on March 21 without May, and should not engage in direct negotiations with the British leader at the two-day summit, the ambassadors were also told. May could go to Strasbourg, France, on Monday, where the bloc's executive European Commission and the European Parliament hold sessions this week. But that has not yet been confirmed in London. May had not ruled out coming up with another UK declaration on the backstop on Monday, according to the briefing the EU ambassadors were given. Brussels worries that she would ask the House of Commons to vote on backstop solutions that have been rejected by the EU side, which would not make reaching an EU-UK agreement any easier. Advertisement

Mrs May is unlikely to take the emergency session herself because she is off to Strasbourg – but could send Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay.

Mr Barclay is already billed to make a statement to the Commons at around 7pm about Brexit.

Mr Corbyn said: 'The Prime Minister cannot keep dodging scrutiny after failing to get changes to her overwhelmingly rejected deal.

'Theresa May must come to Parliament this afternoon and face up to the mess her government has made of the Brexit negotiations.'

Mrs May and her team have again failed to make any breakthrough in negotiations with the EU and called off an 11th-hour trip to Brussels - but will go tonight instead.

The Prime Minister had her plane on standby but after a phone call with President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker last night she cancelled plans to fly out to Europe as the deadlock continues.

The next EU council meeting of the 27 states begins on March 21 - just eight days before Brexit is due to happen - and optimistic members of the Downing Street team are said to be hopeful that European leaders could still back down at the last minute.

But insiders say that the EU is running out of patience and 'hardening' towards Mrs May.

At Westminster Mrs May was being advised to replace it with a motion on the kind of Brexit deal wanted by Tories to put pressure back on the EU to help deliver her divorce by March 29.

A source told The Times: 'As it stands her deal is going to be defeated. It has been made clear to Downing Street that it would be eminently sensible to avoid that by proposing a motion that the party can support. Whether they listen or not is another matter'.

If the vote goes ahead and she loses some in her party are ready to call for Mrs May to resign immediately.

Sources have claimed cabinet support is also failing, with under-fire ministers Chris Grayling and Karen Bradley said to be the only two people vocally backing the PM, who has kept them in their jobs despite usually career-ending blunders in recent weeks.

A forlorn looking Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay arrives at 10 Downing Street yesterday

Remainer Chancellor Philip Hammond looked far happier as he entered Downing Street via a rear entrance yesterday

Leadership candidate Boris Johnson called on MPs to reject her deal - and accused the EU of showing 'chronic disdain' towards Britain by refusing to change the Irish backstop.

The week that will make or break Theresa May's Brexit TUESDAY The Commons will vote on whether to support the revised deal in the second so-called 'meaningful vote'. In January it was rejected by a majority of 230 in an historic defeat for the Government. OPTION A: If it is passed, then the UK is set to leave the European Union on March 29 as planned. OPTION B: If MPs vote against it again, they will be back in the Commons on Wednesday. WEDNESDAY If her withdrawal deal is defeated, as seems likely, the Prime Minister has promised to hold a vote on Wednesday on whether the country should leave the EU without a deal. It would take place just hours after the Chancellor's Spring Statement. OPTION A: If MPs vote for it, a No Deal Brexit would take place. OPTION B: If politicians vote against leaving the EU without a deal, they'll go back again to the voting lobbies. LATER ON WEDNESDAY OR ON THURSDAY A vote against No Deal would see MPs given the chance to delay Brexit beyond March 29, Mrs May has pledged. This would take place on either Wednesday or Thursday. OPTION A: If MPs back a delay, then the PM would have to go back to Brussels to negotiate an extension of the two-year Article 50 process. OPTION B: Rejection of an extension, would mean the country leaves the European Union on March 29 with or without a deal. Advertisement

But Michael Gove said that voting for the PM's deal is the only way to 'heal the bitter divides across the country' - saying if it falls there will be a democratic crisis in the country because the PM would lose control of Brexit.

Brussels will demand another £13.5billion in Brexit divorce payments if Theresa May seeks an extension to Article 50, it is claimed.

EU states are said to be 'hardening' their stance against a longer Brexit process and could force Britain to stay in a customs union as the price of agreeing a delay.

MPs could vote on a postponement this week if, as expected, Theresa May's deal is defeated again in the House of Commons tonight.

The PM has suggested a three-month delay but EU diplomats will demand more money if the extension is longer than a few weeks, the Daily Telegraph reported.

An EU source told the newspaper: 'Lines are hardening against extension... Anything more than a few weeks will come with legal and financial conditions attached.'

Brussels could ask Britain to pay an extra £13.5billion a year - £1bn a month - on top of the current £39bn divorce deal, it is reported.

The EU could also push for Britain to stay in a customs union, a move opposed by many Brexiteers who want the UK to strike new trade deals instead.

All 27 of the EU's remaining member states would have to agree an extension beyond March 29 if it is requested by Mrs May.

In an apparent indication of the lack of progress, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier chose to travel to Dublin to attend the Ireland v France rugby international rather than remain in the Belgian capital.

Tory Brexiteers have said a defeat for Mrs May was 'inevitable' unless the Prime Minister was able to secure significant changes to the arrangements for Northern Ireland.

Mrs May has said if she loses the vote today, there will be further votes on Wednesday on whether the UK should leave with no-deal and on Thursday on whether they should seek an extension to Article 50.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt warned Tory colleagues that they risked losing Brexit altogether if they did not back the PM.

He said there was 'wind in the sails' of the opponents of Brexit and that it would be 'devastating' for the Conservatives if they failed to deliver on their commitment to take Britain out of the EU.

Meanwhile former Cabinet minister Nicky Morgan said Mrs May could be forced out of No 10 if her Brexit strategy was 'dismantled' by MPs this week.

Mrs May was last night warned her position will become untenable if MPs reject her deal and succeed in delaying Brexit.

Former Tory Cabinet ministers Dominic Raab and Nicky Morgan raised doubts she could remain if her withdrawal agreement is voted down by the Commons.

Michel Barnier attended the Ireland-France rugby match on Sunday, pictured, rather than remaining in Brussels in a sign of slow progress in Brexit talks

Theresa May faces another defeat of almost 100 votes even if she gets back around half of the Tory rebels from last time - and needs most of them and Labour rebels to save her deal

May 'til December? The dilemma facing rebels trying to oust the PM Theresa May cannot technically be removed against her will as Tory leader until December. That's because she won a Conservative Party confidence vote on December 12 last year and under party rules she cannot be challenged again for 12 months. However, there are some high risk ways that rebels could force her from office. For example, a mass walkout of ministers would leave the Government totally paralysed and if she could not find enough MPs to replace them, she'd have to quit in order to unblock the system. The nuclear option would be for Tory MPs to join opposition parties to back a Parliamentary confidence motion against her. If she lost this vote of all MPS she would have 21 days to try to form a Government or have to call a General Election, under the Fixed Term Parliament Act passed by her predecessor David Cameron. But it would be a huge gamble for the Tories as it would give Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party a potential route into power. How many would take this risk - after the 2017 election led to a hung parliament - remains to be seen. Advertisement

Downing Street aides are now 'resigned' to Mrs May having to set out her departure date in an attempt to get her deal through the Commons, Cabinet sources revealed.

But former Brexit secretary David Davis dismissed the suggestion that the promise of an exit plan would be enough to persuade rebel Tories to support her withdrawal agreement.

Mrs May has said if the Government loses tomorrow, there will be further votes on whether the UK should leave the EU without a deal or seek an extension to negotiations beyond the March 29 exit date.

Former education secretary Nicky Morgan said it would be the 'beginning of the end' if MPs end up voting for a delay to the Article 50 process.

She told Radio 4's The World This Weekend: 'I think that her position is going to become slowly less and less tenable as Parliament changes the Government's Brexit policy.

'If the votes go this week in a way which means that the Prime Minister's policy as she has set out and stuck to rigidly over the course of the last two-and-a-bit a years is taken away, dismantled slowly by Parliament this week, I think it would be very difficult for the Prime Minister to stay in office for very much longer.'

Mrs Morgan, who has said she will vote for the Brexit deal, said it may be up to the Cabinet to tell Mrs May that the time has come for her to go.

'They are going to have to take a role in saying potentially to the Prime Minister, 'Actually, things have changed significantly. We think you should think about your position, Prime Minister',' she added.

Theresa May was warned her position will become untenable if MPs reject her deal and succeed in delaying Brexit

Former Tory Cabinet ministers Dominic Raab and Nicky Morgan raised doubts she could remain if her withdrawal agreement is voted down

'I don't think no deal is a good idea at all': Cameron insists he backs May's plan for a 'partnership' with the EU and warns MPs not to crash Britain out David Cameron warned MPs not to let Britain crash out of the EU today as Theresa May faces catastrophe over Brexit. The former Prime Minister insisted he would not give a running commentary on events. Mr Cameron said he supported Mrs May's pursuit of a 'partnership' with the EU. But as he left home today he told reporters: 'I don't think no deal is a good idea at all.' Mrs May is due to put her deal to a new vote of MPs tomorrow but faces near certain defeat after the EU refused to make any concessions on the backstop. MPs are then due to vote on whether or not no deal is acceptable on Wednesday. David Cameron (pictured today in London) warned MPs not to let Britain crash out of the EU today as Theresa May faces catastrophe over Brexit Mr Cameron said: 'I support the Prime Minister and I think she is doing the right thing seeking a partnership deal with the EU, that's the right approach. The reason I don't give lots of interviews and answer lots of questions about this is because her job is hard enough already without her immediate predecessor giving a running a commentary. 'So I wish her well.' Asked about no deal as he walked off, Mr Cameron said: 'I don't think no deal is a good idea at all.' Advertisement

Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab, who quit over the Brussels deal, acknowledged the PM's position was 'precarious' but said it would be even worse if Brexit was delayed.

Mr Raab, who has been touted as a possible successor to Mrs May if she is forced to step down, refused to be drawn on his own leadership ambitions.

But asked if he thought Mrs May would still be Prime Minister by Christmas, he said: 'I don't know. She has said she is going to step down. I would like to be able to see her do that in a way which is in the terms of her own choosing. I think the Government has found itself in a precarious situation.

'If the Government extends Article 50 or tries to reverse the Brexit promises that we have made, I think that situation would get even trickier.'

Cabinet ministers have privately floated the idea of Mrs May naming a date for her departure if it persuades hardline Eurosceptics to back her deal.

Some believe the rebels may be tempted by this option in the belief they could install a Brexiteer to take over the second phase of negotiations on the future relationship with the EU.

But Mr Davis rejected the suggestion. The former Brexit secretary told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: 'No, it won't work. [It] won't get the vote through.'

Former Brexit secretary David Davis dismissed the suggestion that the promise of an exit plan would be enough to persuade rebel Tories to support her withdrawal agreement

Health Secretary Matt Hancock also dismissed the idea. He told BBC Radio 5 Live: 'I don't think that would help... You have got to look at what the public think in many ways. The amount of respect for the PM in the country is incredible. Through this incredibly difficult negotiation and difficult time in politics her dignity and poise has been absolutely remarkable.

'Many people have been very rude about her, she just lets it pass her by. You can see that she is steadfastly focused on what is in the national interest.'

Mrs May had initially vowed to stay on as Tory leader for the 'long term' and fight the next general election in 2022.

In August 2017 the Prime Minister insisted she was 'not a quitter' and would remain in office to guide the country through Brexit and beyond.

But as she faced a confidence vote in her leadership in December, Mrs May backtracked and told MPs she would stand down before the next election.

Last month she signalled she would not be quitting immediately after Brexit on March 29.

Labour has abandoned plans to push for a second referendum tomorrow amid fears it would trigger a mass revolt by shadow ministers.

But Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, told Sky there could still be a opportunity this week for MPs to vote for a second poll.

'The only negotiations May will be doing are for her Celebrity Bake Off fee': As even PM's key allies 'lose faith in her ability to lead' rivals circle to take her place – so who could replace Theresa?

Theresa May is facing increasingly heavy calls to step down in a matter of just weeks if her Brexit deal is rejected a second time by MPs today.

The Prime Minister appears to have almost completely run out of allies in her own administration as the Government crumbles over attempts to exit the European Union.

One Cabinet source told The Telegraph: 'I would say there are only two ministers in the Cabinet who still support her. Everyone else has lost faith in her ability to lead.'

Mrs May agreed last December to step down before the next General Election, in a plea deal that saw her win a confidence vote of Tory MPs.

And there are a host of top Tories ready to step into her shoes whenever she finally decides that she can take the country - and the Conservative Party - no further.

Here we look at the runners and riders, with their odds with Ladbrokes and how they voted in the 2016 referendum:

Boris Johnson: The long-running thorn in May's side who has recently had a 'prime ministerial' makeover

Boris Johnson has undergone a prime ministerial makeover as Theresa May's days appeared increasingly numbered

Former foreign secretary and mayor of London

Voted leave and has become an increasingly hardline Brexiteer

As likely to make headlines over his private life

Has recently lost a lot of weight and smartened up his appearance

Leadership odds 4/1

The former foreign secretary who quit last July and has been tacitly campaigning for the leadership ever since returning to the backbenches with a regular stream of attacks on Mrs may and her Brexit strategy.

Never far from the limelight it is his private life that has seen him most in the news recently after splitting from his wife Marina and embarking on a relationship with a former Conservative communications staffer 20 years his junior.

But as an increasingly hawkish Brexiteer who says we should not be afraid of leaving without a deal he is hugely popular with the party faithful.

In recently weeks he has further boosted his frontrunner credentials with what might be deemed a 'prime ministerial' makeover.

He has lost weight and taming his unruly mop of blonde hair into something approaching the haircut of a serious senior statesman.

Michael Gove: The boomerang cabinet minister who has a machiavellian reputation

Michael Gove has made a remarkable political comeback after being sacked by Theresa May in 2016

Leading Vote Leave figure in 2016 who now backs PM's Brexit deal

Former journalist, 51, who stood for leadership in 2016

Was sacked as education minister by Theresa May

Later returned as Environment Minister

Leadship odds 5/1

A Brexiteer with a machiavellian reputation after the 2016 leadership campaign in which he first supported Boris Johnson for the leadership and then stood against him, to their mutual disadvantage.

The former education secretary - sacked by Mrs May - was rehabilitated to become a right-on environment secretary - complete with reusable coffee cups and a strong line on food standards after Brexit.

Despite being a former lead figure in the Vote Leave campaign alongside Mr Johnson the former journalist and MP for Surrey Heath has swung behind Mrs May's Brexit deal.

But while he noisily supports the deal - he views the alternatives as worse he is quieter when it comes to supporting the Prime Minister and practically mute when it comes to her future.

Seen as one of the Cabinet's strongest political thinkers and having stood once it is unthinkable that he would not stand again.

Dominic Raab: Brexit refusenik who quit rather than back Mrs May's deal

Dominic Raab has become a cheerleader for a hard Brexit since stepping down as Brexit secretary in November

Shortlived Brexit secretary last year, replacing David Davis in the hot seat

But walked in November over terms agreed by PM

Voted for Brexit in 2016

Leadership odds 8/1

Mr Raab, 45, is another Vote Leave member who became Brexit secretary after David Davis quit alongside Mr Johnson last July over the Chequers plan.

But he lasted just a matter of months before he too jumped ship, saying he could not accept the terms of the deal done by the Prime Minister.

Like Mr Johnson and Mr Davis he has become an increasingly hardline Brexiteer, sharing a platform with the DUP's Arlene Foster and suggesting we should not be afraid of a no-deal Brexit.

The Esher and Walton MP's decision to quit in November, boosted his popularity with party members but he lacks the wider popular appeal of Mr Johnson.

And like Mr Johnson he might benefit from having quit the Cabinet at an earlier stage and dissociating himself with the dying days of the May administration.

On Sunday he was asked on Sky News's Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme if Mrs May would still be Prime Minister by Christmas, saying: 'I don't know. She has said she is going to step down. I would like to be able to see her do that in a way which is in terms of her own choosing.'

Sajid Javid: Remainer star who has run into trouble over knife crime and refugees

Sajid Javid has seen his stock take a hit in recent weeks over the knife crime crisis and migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats

The most senior cabinet contender

Voted Remain but wants to see Brexit delivered

Faced criticism as Home Secretary

But has taken a hard line on Shamima Begum case

Leadership odds 8/1

The Home Secretary, a Remainer who wants to see Brexit delivered, was the leading candidate from inside the Cabinet to replace Mrs May.

After replacing Amber Rudd last year he consciously put clear ground between himself and the Prime Minister on issues like caps on skilled migrants after Brexit.

But his credentials have taken a hit in recent weeks. He finds himself facing ongoing criticism of his handling of the knife crime crisis affecting UK cities, which sparked a cabinet row over funding for police.

He also lost face over his handling of the influx of migrants crossing the English Channel in January, being seen to move slowly in realising the scale of the problem.

But more recently the 49-year-old Bromsgove MP has made a serious of hardline decision designed to go down well with Tory voters.

Most notably they have included moving to deprive London teenager turned Jihadi bride Shamima Begum, 19, of her British citizenship, after she was discovered among former Islamic State members in a Syrian refugee camp.

Jeremy Hunt: Remainer turned Brexiteer unity candidate who wants to heal the party

Jeremy Hunt, a born-again Brexiteer after supporting Remain, is said to have been promoting himself as a unity candidate for a divided party

The Foreign Secretary voted Remain

But has become an increasingly vocal Brexiteer

Backs May's deal

Has approached ministers about running as a unity candidate

Leadership odds 10/1

The Foreign Secretary who has undergone a Damascene conversion to the Brexit cause in with a series of hardline warnings to the EU.

The 52-year-old South West Surrey MP is the most senior Cabinet minister in contention.

He has reportedly been selling himself to colleagues as a unity candidate who can bring together the fractious Tory factions into something approaching a cohesive party.

On Sunday he issued a stark warning to Tory MPs that they risk losing Brexit altogether if they fail to back Theresa May's deal in the crunch Commons vote on Tuesday.

Mr Hunt said there was now 'wind in the sails' of the opponents of Brexit and that it would be 'devastating' for the Conservatives if they failed to deliver on their commitment to take Britain out of the EU.

A long-serving health secretary, he replaced Mr Johnson as the UK's top diplomat and has won some plaudits over issues like the imprisonment of British mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in Iran.

But critics point to tub-thumpingly comparing the EU to the USSR at the party conference last year - which was very badly received in Brussels - and a gaffe in which he referred to his Chinese wife as 'Japanese' as a reception in China.

Nevertheless he is seen as a safe if uninspiring pair of hands.

Andrea Leadsom: May's former leadership rival who has not let collective responsibility stop her speaking out

Ms Leadsom is a Brexiteer who frequently clashes with Speaker John Bercow

The Commons' Leader challenged May in 2016

Voted for Brexit

Hosted Brexiteer 'pizza party' plot last year

Increasingly outspoken Brexiteer

Leadership odds 16/1

The Commons' Leader stood against Mrs May for the party leadership in 2016 before conceding defeat before it was put to a vote of MPs.

As collective responsibility has largely broken down among ministers she had been an increasingly vocal and clear Brexiteer voice in the Cabinet along line similar lines to Mr Johnson and Mr Raab.

She was reportedly the host of a Brexiteer 'pizza party' in Parliament as the vying wings of the Cabinet plotted last year to shape the Brexit deal they wanted.

In her role as Commons' Leader she frequently clashes with Speaker John Bercow, something that will do her no harm among the Tory backbenches where he is widely loathed.

Jacob Rees-Mogg: the old-fashioned Tory who led attempts to topple Mrs May but failed to remove her

Mr Rees-Mogg is a hardline Brexiteer but has suggested he could back a deal depending on what concessions Mrs May wins

Chairman of the European Research Group

Well-known for his old-fashioned mannerisms

Led attempots to topple the PM last year but failed

Has since suggested he could support a deal on the Irish backstop

But only if the PM wins concessions from Brussels

Leadership odds 16/1

The leader of the European Research Group of Tory Brexiteers has an almost cult following.

Known for his old-fashioned manners and clothing he played a lead role in attempts to topple Mrs May in December last year.

Once the hardest of opponents to the Irish border backstop he has slightly thawed in his opposition in recent weeks.

In the face of concern that Brexit could be delayed or stopped altogether he has hinted that he (and much of the ERG) could support a deal if Mrs May achieve certain concessions - which she has let to achieve.

The Somerset MP has brushed off the chances of him running for the leadership but he remains a popular figure in the party, although some feel that he may be too eccentric.

EU leaders troll Theresa May as Tusk gushes about his 'English friend' (he means his dog) and Barnier shows his support for Ireland at the rugby

The EU was today accused of 'trolling' Britain as its leaders took to social media to revel in their time off as Brexit talks collapsed.

Chief negotiator Michel Barnier flew to Ireland for the rugby and Donald Tusk appeared to snipe at Mrs May again in an Instagram post about his English dog.

A smiling Mr Barnier posed outside the Aviva Stadium in Dublin with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Simon Coveney and today confirmed negotiations between the two sides are over as he said this morning: 'The talks are now between the UK government and MPs'.

Around the same time Donald Tusk , the European Council president, posted an Instagram story of himself lounging in a chair with his 'English friend' - his English Springer Spaniel - in what critics said was a blatant goading of Mrs May.

Anti-Brexit campaigner William Buist said that it was 'blatant trolling' of the Prime Minister.

EU chief negotiator had a day off as talks failed and went to watch the Ireland France Six Nations match in Dublin with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (left) and Tánaiste Simon Coveney (right)

Donald Tusk was accused of trolling Britain by taking to Instagram on the day talks failed to cuddle his 'English Friend', his spaniel

EU Brexit chief Michel Barnier opted to watch rugby in Dublin yesterday rather than stay in Brussels.

In a sign of the dire state of talks, the EU's chief negotiator watched Ireland v France rather than remain on standby in the Belgian capital.

The Frenchman was spotted with Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar and foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney as they entered Dublin's Aviva stadium.

Ireland went on to beat France 26-14 to keep their Six Nations hopes alive.

The impromptu trip could be seen as provocative given the impasse in talks is over the Irish border backstop, which Dublin has repeatedly dug its heels in over and rejected British demands for an end date or unilateral exit clause.

Before the weekend attorney-general Geoffrey Cox and Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay had been pencilled in for a trip to Brussels on Sunday to continue talks.

And yesterday an RAF jet was on standby to rush prime minister Theresa May to the Belgian capital in the event of a breakthrough - but she never went.

It came after relations sunk to a new low on Friday when eleventh-hour talks on British demands over the backstop issue descended into an ugly Twitter row.

It ended with Mr Barnier taking the unusual step of posting the EU's latest backstop offer on Twitter in a bid to avoid being blamed for the breakdown in talks.

Moments later Mr Barclay hit back, saying the offer was simply a 'rerun' of old arguments.

It ended a tumultuous week in which Mr Cox's demands earlier in the week were rejected following a bitter four-hour stand-off.