Hardline backbench Brexiteer, Jacob Rees-Mogg, handed in a letter of no-confidence in Theresa May as leader of the Conservative Party, in protest at the UK/EU Brexit deal, she is set to present to parliament.

It was widely reported that Rees-Mogg has told colleagues assembled within the a meeting of the hard-Brexit faction, the European Research Group (ERG), that the decision had 'weighed very heavily' upon him.

READ MORE: Work and Pensions Secretary Esther Mcvey quits UK government over Brexit deal

In his letter, Rees-Mogg wrote: "it’s in the interests of the party and the country if she were to stand aside.”

Adding: “A few weeks ago, in a conversation with the Chief Whip I expressed my concern that the Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May, was losing the confidence of Conservative Members of Parliament and that it would be in the interest of the Party and the country if she were to stand aside."

The draft Brexit withdrawal deal she has finalized has "turned out to be worse than anticipated and fails to meet the promises given to the nation by the Prime Minister."

Jacob Rees Mogg no confidence letter pic.twitter.com/iO2Ul63W18 — Jack Doyle (@jackwdoyle) November 15, 2018

Rees-Mogg's letter is a pivotal moment for those Tory MPs unhappy at the Brexit draft withdrawal agreement.

Earlier, the MP took to twitter to reiterate his threat, posting: "Time to write?"

Is it time to write? pic.twitter.com/K2S9ZSwPKU — Jacob Rees-Mogg (@Jacob_Rees_Mogg) November 15, 2018

A total of 48 letters from Conservative MPs need to be issued to trigger a vote of no confidence. Such a move could spark a leadership challenge.

BREAKING Eurosceptic Tory leader Jacob Rees-Mogg to submit letter of no confidence in Theresa May as Conservative leader later today, sources confirm — Christopher Hope (@christopherhope) November 15, 2018

Jacob Rees-Mogg WILL submit a letter today calling for no confidence vote in Theresa May, sources say. Seems like leadership challenge is on. Where we will be by the end of today is literally anyone's guess. — Gordon Rayner (@gordonrayner) November 15, 2018

Jacob Rees Mogg threatened to write a letter of no confidence in Theresa May. To her face. Cojones are out. — Dan Bloom (@danbloom1) November 15, 2018

In response, May's spokesperson stated that she would contest any leadership challenge.

The Prime Minister's spokesman says Theresa May would fight any vote of confidence against her — Sky News Breaking (@SkyNewsBreak) November 15, 2018

In parliament, a stony-faced Rees-Mogg told May that what she says and what she does “no longer match," and openly threatened to submit the letter of no-confidence.

READ MORE: ‘Government is in chaos’: Corbyn slams May’s Brexit deal, as ministers abandon ship

Rees-Mogg is a leader of the anti-EU ERG, a Tory faction who boast around 60 MPs as members and are pushing for a hard-Brexit.

Rees-Mogg has until now been openly supportive of Theresa May, if not of her Brexit plans. But now it would appear, the well-spoken Brexiteer has been tipped over the edge, and has for the first time given the PM a public dressing down.

READ MORE: MPs laugh at May as she addresses Parliament after string of resignations over Brexit (WATCH LIVE)

It's thought the ex-Etonian is pushing for a Canada-style free trade agreement with the EU, which has the backing of around 80 MPs and former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, according to the Times.

If you like this story, share it with a friend!

to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media won’t tell you.