SEVEN TORY TURNCOATS JOIN REBELLION

SEVEN Tory peers last night joined the Establishment backlash against Brexit.

Baroness Altmann, Lord Bowness and Lord Cormack all voted against the Government – along with Viscount Hailsham, Lord Livingston of Parkhead, Earl Selborne and Baroness Wheatcroft.

Four former Whitehall mandarins, two bishops, ex-Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd and former MI5 chief Baroness Manningham-Buller also backed the revolt. The ex-mandarins were former civil service chief Lord O’Donnell – who caused anger by criticising the decision to create two Brexit departments – Lord Kerslake, Lord Turnbull and Lord Macpherson of Earl’s Court.

They were joined by Lord Bishop of Newcastle the Rt Rev Christine Hardman and Lord Bishop of Leeds the Rt Rev Nicholas Baines, who has written a blog saying: ‘The people have spoken, but the concerns of nearly half of them also need to be heard.’

Meanwhile dozens of pro-Remain MPs face losing their seats at the next election because their constituents overwhelmingly backed Brexit, it has been claimed.

A study found 69 Labour and Lib Dem MPs have smaller majorities than the Leave margin of victory in their areas.

Among the most vulnerable are deputy Labour leader Tom Watson and former party leader Ed Miliband.

According to the research, by campaign group Get Britain Out, the Tories would be the main beneficiary of a potential proBrexit swing.