As Tory MPs plot May’s downfall, her last allies battle for her survival

Holed up in Chequers this weekend, the PM has few moves left to ensure her continuation in power - or the relevance of her deal

Members of Theresa May's cabinet believe she will have to resign this week should she allow a shift towards a soft Brexit, with angry Tory MPs examining ways to end her premiership.

The prime minister's few remaining allies were engaged on Saturday night in a desperate battle to shore up her position, warning MPs that forcing May out would "tip the country into a general election and tear the party apart". Downing Street is also warning hardline Tories that parliament is so against a no-deal Brexit the government would be brought down before it could implement such an outcome.