Theresa May was barracked by Tory Eurosceptics at PMQs today as she fights to hold her party together.
The Prime Minister was goaded by backbencher Andrea Jenkyns over when she decided that ‘Brexit means Remain’.
But amid jeers in the Commons a clearly stung Mrs May hit back that she was still committed to leaving the EU and wanted a ‘workable’ solution.
The clashes, at a raucous last questions session before the summer recess, came after Mrs May narrowly fended off a potentially existential challenge to her negotiating strategy last night.
However, there is little sign of the pressure easing, as Boris Johnson is preparing to unleash a devastating resignation statement in the House later.
The Prime Minister was goaded by backbencher Andrea Jenkyns over when she decided that ‘Brexit means Remain’
Brexiteer Ms Jenkyns has become a thorn in the side of the PM, calling her premiership ‘over’
The bitter Tory clashes came at a raucous last questions PMQs session before the summer recess (pictured)
Mrs May must also run the gauntlet of a grilling by senior MPs on the Liaison Committee this afternoon, before a showdown with restive Tory backbenchers at a private meeting tonight.
Setting the tone for a bruising Commons encounter, Ms Jenkyns – who has urged the Mrs May to quit – asked: ‘Could the prime minister inform the House at what point it was decided that Brexit means Remain?’
Mrs May insisted that her mantra of ‘Brexit means Brexit’ still stood.
‘At absolutely no point, because Brexit continues to mean Brexit,’ she replied.
‘And if I can say to her, I know she wants us to talk about the positives of Brexit and I agree with her.
‘We should be talking about the positive future for this country. I understand she’s also criticised me for looking for a solution that is workable.
‘I have to say I disagree with her on that. I think what we need is a solution that is going to work for the United Kingdom, ensure we leave the European Union and embrace that bright future that we both agree on.’
Amid dramatic scenes at Westminster last night, a dozen Conservative Remainers defied warnings they would collapse the Government by siding with Jeremy Corbyn to demand Britain stays in the EU customs union.
Mrs May has repeatedly insisted that the UK must not be in a customs union, as it would prevent trade deals being struck elsewhere.
But rebels ignored warnings from Tory chief whip Julian Smith that defeat would prompt him to call a vote of confidence in Mrs May today, followed by a possible general election.
Tory insiders said another ten Eurosceptic MPs would have sent in letters of no confidence in Mrs May if she had lost last night’s vote – potentially pushing the total over the 48 needed to spark a leadership challenge.
Rebels inflicted an early defeat on the Government when they voted to keep Britain tied into the European Medicines Agency after Brexit by 305 votes to 301.
But, minutes later, the tables were reversed as MPs voted by 307 to 301 to reject an amendment to the Trade Bill ordering the PM to pursue a continuation of the customs union.
Five Labour MPs voted with the Government: former ministers Frank Field and Kate Hoey and backbenchers John Mann, Graham Stringer and Kelvin Hopkins, who is currently sitting as an independent following suspension. If they had voted the other way, the Government would have lost by four votes.
The titanic battle sparked rancour with calls for the Tory and Labour rebels to be deselected from their Commons seats.
The Conservative chief whip Mr Smith also had to offer a grovelling apology after failing to honour a deal to ‘pair’ Lib Dem MP Jo Swinson, who is on maternity leave.
Pairing is when a government supporter does not vote to offset the absence of an Opposition MP who cannot come to the chamber. But Tory chairman Brandon Lewis voted anyway – leading to allegations of cheating.
Tory rebel Anna Soubry said the whipping operation had been an ‘appalling spectacle’.
‘These nonsenses of threatening general elections and votes of confidence in the Prime Minister and as I actually said to the deputy chief whip ‘bring it on’ because I shall be the first in the queue to give my vote of full confidence in the Prime Minster,’ she said.
‘Problem is, I don’t think that she’s in charge anymore. I’ve no doubt Jacob Rees-Mogg is running our country.’
Ms Soubry said they had been ‘hollow and rather ridiculous threats’.
She also urged a government of national unity to deal with Brexit.
She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘We simply cannot go on like this.
‘People in this country are fed up to the back teeth with Brexit.’
Ms Soubry said Labour was in an ‘even greater mess’ than the Conservatives, with the ‘old Trotskyists in charge’.
‘I personally would abandon the Labour frontbench and I would reach beyond it and I would encompass Plaid Cymru, the SNP and other sensible, pragmatic people who believe in putting this country’s interests first and foremost,’ she added.
Boris Johnson (pictured left yesterday) is preparing to unleash a devastating resignation statement in the House later. Tory rebels including Anna Soubry (right) are furious at the whipping tactics in the vote last night
Five Labour MPs – including one currently suspended from the party – voted with the Government last night: former ministers Frank Field (left) and Kate Hoey (right)
Labour MP John Mann supported the government by voting to reject the customs union plan
Also voting with the Government were backbenchers Graham Stringer and Kelvin Hopkins (right), who is currently sitting as an independent following suspension