Theresa May is facing the threat of a new rebellion by Conservative MPs intent on avoiding a no-deal Brexit. About 35 Tory MPs could support a House of Commons move to delay the UK’s exit from the EU, if it looks likely the prime minister is still unable to secure enough backing for her Brexit deal, Sky reports.
The Telegraph, on the other hand reports that Theresa May has been warned by a group of 100 moderate Tory MPs that they are prepared to rebel against the Government to force her to delay Brexit if she cannot reach a deal.
The Brexit Delivery Group, which represents both Remain and Leave MPs, has called for a free vote next week on a backbench bid to take no deal off the table.
Simon Hart and Andrew Percy, the leaders of the bloc, say in a letter leaked to The Daily Telegraph that “numerous” members of the group have become “deeply troubled” by the prospect of a no deal Brexit.
Meanwhile May has held meetings with leading Tory Remainers, amid speculation about further defections. Justine Greening and Phillip Lee say Mrs May has ignored requests from pro-EU Tory MPs in favour of Brexiteers.
The pair had separate meetings with the PM in Downing Street. Meanwhile, one ex-Labour member of the new Independent Group of MPs has said it could help keep Mrs May in power on condition that she agreed to another EU referendum with Remain as an option.
However, the PM was focused on her own party on Thursday, as she met cabinet ministers David Gauke and Greg Clark.
The pair have warned of the dangers to business of leaving the EU without a formal deal, an option which Brexiteers in the European Research Group of Conservative MPs insist must be preserved as negotiating leverage in Brussels.
