Departures and an emerging plot

Scottish Secretary David Mundell has insisted he will not be “bounced into resigning” by “carpetbagger” Cabinet colleagues after a string of ministers quit in protest at Theresa May’s deal.

The Tory frontbencher, who has backed the prime minister, branded former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab – the big casualty – a late convert to Unionism.

Stepping down the morning after the night before, Mr Raab said he had made his decision on the grounds the draft Brexit withdrawal agreement undermines the integrity of the UK.

Within hours the focus had switched to arch Brexiteer Jacob ReesMogg who has sent a letter demanding a vote of no confidence in Mrs May.

Rumours have also emerged that Michael Gove could become the new Brexit secretary, although there were simultaneous suggestions he too might stand down.

Northern Ireland minister Shailesh Vara was the first to go yesterday, followed by Mr Raab and then Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey.

Brexit minister Suella Braverman also stepped down, as did Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a parliamentary private secretary in the Department for Education.

Ranil Jayawardena, parliamentary private secretary at the Ministry of Justice, followed suit.

Shadow Scottish secretary Labour’s Lesley Laird called it “farcical” that the Brexit secretary had resigned while the Scottish Tories “remain silent”.

But Mr Mundell dismissed his former cabinet colleague as a “carpetbagger” whose resignation was “about manoeuvring and leadership”.