Gong for Brexiteer from PM

THERESA May last night handed a knighthood to senior Brexiteer John Hayes as she pushed for votes to secure a Brexit deal.

It will be seen by many as the first bid to butter up wavering backbenchers in her battle to convince Tory MPs to back her in the “meaningful vote” of MPs next month.

Only last week Mr Hayes told the PM to “look again” at elements of her withdrawal agreement. But Mrs May admitted in a BBC Radio 5 Live phone-in yesterday it would be “back to square one” if she loses the Commons vote.

She refused three times to rule out quitting if her Brexit deal is blocked by MPs.

And she hinted that there was no Plan B.