Plan to amend PM’S draft agreement and postpone departure it, we’ll slow it

On Friday the influential Commons Procedure Committee also recommended MPS should be able to vote on proposed amendments to the government’s motion, before the final decision on approving the exit deal. Dr Hannah White, deputy director of think tank the Institute for Government, said: “The argument is that in the House of Commons one of the important principles is the views of minorities should be heard. “The point of principle here was that even if there wasn’t a majority for any of these amendments, there ought to be the opportunity for those views to be expressed.”

White said amendments – which are selected by Speaker John Bercow – could result in the changes to the motion brought forward by the Government.

However she added: “The question is whether there will be a majority for any particular amendment. I don’t think that is necessarily clear.” The Prime Minister has been through a tumultuous week that saw the departure of ministers including Brexit secretary Dominic Raab and work and pensions secretary Esther Mcvey. A high-profile insurrection on the back benches to remove her from office was also launched, with arch Brexiter Jacob Rees-mogg calling for a vote of no confidence and submitting a letter to the chair of the 1922 Committee.

The committee has the power to trigger a no confidence vote in the party leader once it receives such letters from 15% of MPS – a total of 48.

But yesterday it was understood the coup attempt was still 11 letters short, despite predictions enough letters would have been received by Friday.

Even if such a vote is triggered, the Prime Minister could survive and would then be granted immunity for a year from any fresh attempt to end her leadership.

However in a further sign of the deepening Conservative rift, a minister yesterday warned Remainvoting Tory MPS could throw their weight behind stopping Brexit entirely if “purists” scupper the deal.

Middle East Minister Alistair Burt responded bluntly to a tweet by Brexiteer Steve Baker which criticised the Prime Minister’s deal.

He wrote: “Be very clear. If an agreed deal on leaving between the Govt and the EU is voted down by purist Brexiteers, do not be surprised if consensus on accepting the result of the Referendum by Remain voting MPS breaks down.” Stephen Barclay has been appointed Brexit Secretary – the third this year – but the role has been downgraded as the Prime Minister will in future take sole control of negotiations on EU withdrawal. May has bolstered her cabinet by bringing back former home secretary Amber Rudd, who resigned in April over the Windrush scandal. Rudd pleaded with Tory rebels to back the Prime Minister saying: “This is not time for changing our leader.”

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The least worst option is staying in the single market