A number of Theresa May’s ministers have had talks with an anti-Brexit campaign group pushing for a second referendum, it was claimed last night.
It is understood that Best for Britain has been speaking to at least three Remain-supporting ministers.
The news came after justice minister Phillip Lee became the first member of the government to resign over Mrs May’s Brexit policy on Tuesday.
Tory sources believe other junior ministers are considering quitting as part of a co-ordinated plot against the Prime Minister.
Remain rebels backed down in a Brexit showdown with the Government on Tuesday after last-ditch concessions allowed Theresa May (pictured in Downing Street tonight) to win a crucial vote 324 to 298
Best for Britain, which is funded by billionaire financier George Soros, said it was ‘working timelessly’ to secure a second referendum – including targeting ministers it believed were sympathetic.
Sources close to Dr Lee told the Telegraph that his resignation had been a ‘warning shot’ and that more resignations could follow.
Best for Britain told the paper it had spoken to Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt, business minister Richard Harrington and Northern Ireland minister Shailesh Vara.
It said it had also spoken to Rachel Maclean, parliamentary private secretary to Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary.
The MPs denied the talks had taken place.
It comes after Remain rebels backed down in a Brexit showdown with the Government last night after last-ditch concessions allowed the PM to win a crucial vote.
The 324 to 298 victory means the Prime Minister has survived the most difficult vote in a marathon two day debate on 15 changes made by the Lords to flagship Brexit laws.
Theresa May returns to Downing Street from the Houses of Parliament in London
But winning the vote came at the price of promises of concessions to rebel ringleader Dominic Grieve. The ex-minister appeared to have enough support to inflict a second humiliating defeat on the Government over Brexit.
To head off the defeat, Solicitor General Robert Buckland appeared to concede Mr Grieve’s call for a Commons vote if the Government decides to walk away from talks without a deal or if there is no deal by November 30.
He said ministers would discuss a third demand from Mr Grieve that MPs should be allowed take charge of the negotiation if there is still no deal in February.
Mr Grieve tonight told the BBC he had ‘confidence and trust’ Mrs May would deliver on the concession but warned the issue would return to MPs if she failed.
Rebels believe it means a no deal Brexit will be impossible without a Commons vote – a position likely to enrage Brexiteers.
But Government sources insisted to MailOnline the ‘only agreement is to keep talking’ adding that ‘no concessions sorted at all’.
The details of the climb down will not be finalised until the legislation returns to the House of Lords on Monday. One side or the other appears set to be disappointed.
Earlier Brexit Secretary David Davis warned Remain rebels are trying to reverse Brexit by forcing the ‘meaningful vote’ amendment into crucial laws on quitting the EU.
Mr Davis warned nothing should be done to tie the Government’s hands in its negotiations with Brussels or to re-write the UK constitution in a bid to stall Brexit.
But Mr Davis stopped just short of ruling out accepting an amendment from rebel ringleader Dominic Grieve (pictured in the Commons today) – insisting he had not properly read the new draft
Solicitor General Robert Buckland promised rebel ringleader Dominic Grieve his plans to effectively rule out a no deal Brexit would be the basis of talks as soon as tomorrow – but only if he called off a revolt in the Commons tonight
Speaker John Bercow speaks in the House of Commons shortly after the Brexit Commons vote
In a last-ditch bid to reassure the rebels, Mr Buckland offered to arrange to meet Mr Grieve tomorrow to see how they can ‘build’ on the Government’s amendment.
He added: ‘Overnight I have read very carefully the amendment that he tabled and I think, for example, with regards to 5a there is much merit in the approach that he urges this House to adopt.
‘Can I say I need more time to think about the other parts of his amendment but by indicating my position on a key part of it, I am indicating that the Government is willing to engage positively ahead of the Lords stages.’
Mr Grieve welcomed the Solicitor General’s pledge but warned it must ‘be done in good faith’.
He said: ‘The reality is if we don’t have a mechanism by which this House can properly shape the crisis that will be enfolding us at the end of February if we haven’t got a deal, then we will do it in an ad hoc way which is likely to be infinitely more damaging to the well-being of the citizens of the United Kingdom.’
Mr Buckland responded by telling MPs that Mr Grieve’s comments would form ‘a clear basis for a formal set of discussions that we can start at the earliest opportunity’.
In a signal today’s rebellion was easing, senior pro-EU Tory Sarah Wollaston announced in a tweet that she would back the Government on the ‘meaningful vote’.
A Brexit department spokeswoman said: ‘On the meaningful vote we have agreed to look for a compromise when this goes back to the Lords.
‘The Brexit Secretary has set out three tests that any new amendment has to meet – not undermining the negotiations, not changing the constitutional role of Parliament and Government in negotiating international treaties, and respecting the referendum result.
‘We have not, and will not, agree to the House of Commons binding the Government’s hands in the negotiations.’
The Brexit Secretary (pictured addressing MPs today) demanded the Commons strip a Lords amendment from the flagship legislation as a showdown in Parliament finally began this afternoon
David Davis (pictured in the Commons today) warned Remain rebels are trying to reverse Brexit by forcing a ‘meaningful vote’ amendment into crucial laws on quitting the EU
She said. ‘Following further assurances that further Govt amendments will come forward in the Lords, I will now be supporting the Govt.’
Following the climbdown, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘This vote was about ensuring Parliament was given a proper role in the Brexit negotiations and that we avoid a no deal situation, which is becoming more likely with the divisions at the heart of this Government.
‘However, facing the prospect of a humiliating defeat Theresa May has been forced to enter negotiations with her backbenchers and offer a so-called concession.
‘We will wait and see the details of this concession and will hold Ministers to account to ensure it lives up to the promises they have made to Parliament.’
Opening today’s debate, the Brexit Secretary insisted it was ‘not practical, not desirable and not appropriate’ for Parliament to dictate the terms of Brexit talks instead of ministers.
He said: ‘We must never do anything that undermines the Government’s negotiating position or encourages delay in the negotiation.
‘We can’t change fundamental constitutional structures that makes the Government responsible for international relations and international treaties.
‘We must under all circumstances respect the result of the referendum.
‘That is what this House has voted on with Article 50.’
Protesters gathered outside Parliament as the debate about Brexit continued inside this afternoon (pictured opposite the Victoria Tower)
Anti-Brexit campaigners have maintained a constant vigil outside Parliament since the Brexit vote almost two years ago
Mr Grieve, who has tabled an amendment for a meaningful vote in a bid to force concessions from ministers, insisted the Government had to move or face defeat.
He told Mr Davis: ‘The Government has not made provision for no deal.
‘One of the key issues for me is whether we can make make some progress on having a proper structure to address no deal.
‘I don’t think this Bill can finish its course and get Royal Assent until we have that.’
In his main speech later, Mr Grieve added: ‘I really am worried, the irrationality of the debate we are having on details of Brexit is truly chilling.’
Father of the House Ken Clarke, one of the leading Tory rebels, insisted Mr Grieve’s amendment was a ‘perfectly serious proposition’ and urged the Government to accept it.
He accused the Government whips of an ‘intolerant response’ to rebel demands and condemned pressure heaped upon Mr Grieve.
But senior Conservative Sir Edward Leigh swung behind the Government.
He warned potential rebels they would be inflicting a ‘catastrophic blow’ on the Government and insisted Mr Grieve’s plan was the ‘ultimate wrecking amendment’ that sought to ‘wreck the will of the people’.
Senior Tory Sir Edward Leigh swung behind the Government and warned potential rebels they would be inflicting a ‘catastrophic blow’ on the Government
Father of the House Ken Clarke (pictured in today’s debate), one of the leading Tory rebels, insisted Mr Grieve’s amendment was a ‘perfectly serious proposition’ and urged the Government to accept it
A series of crucial votes will begin in the Commons at 4.15pm
For Labour, shadow Brexit minister Matthew Pennycook paid tribute to the House of Lords for their ‘diligent and considered manner in which they so thoroughly scrutinised the Bill before us’.
Ahead of today’s debate, Justice minister Phillip Lee dramatically quit today in protest at Mrs May’s approach – saying he could not ‘look my children in the eye’ and stay in his job.
The resignation is a massive blow for Mrs May, who this morning gathered her Cabinet in No10 ahead of the Commons showdown.
Conservative rebels, Labour, the SNP and the Lib Dems hailed the resignation of Dr Lee.
But a Downing Street source tried to play down the impact, saying: ‘We will get a good Brexit deal that works for everybody in the UK. The Government’s amendment today provides for a meaningful vote.’
Eurosceptics complained that Dr Lee was actually defying his own constituents – who voted 53-47 per cent to Leave in the referendum.
Last night Mrs May delivered a direct warning to backbench Tory MPs that any defeats would encourage Brussels to turn the screw.
Last night former education secretary Nicky Morgan, a leading Remainer, indicated she would support Mrs May in tomorrow’s vote on an amendment designed to keep Britain in a customs union with the EU.
Mrs Morgan said she would back a compromise plan – with the words ‘customs union’ being replaced with ‘customs arrangements’ – adding that it would help ‘buy time’ for the Prime Minister ahead of a crunch Brussels summit at the end of this month. The fudge was put together by another former minister, Oliver Letwin. Asked whether the deal was ‘kicking the can down the road, Mr Letwin said: ‘That is a very sensible thing to do.’
The big moments will come this afternoon – when MPs debate calls for Parliament to be given a so-called meaningful vote on the final Brexit deal – and tomorrow, when they debate the customs union.
Tory whips are particularly anxious about the so-called ‘meaningful vote’ amendment, with rumours that concessions last week could be pushed further.
The outcome could rest on the position of a handful of Brexit-supporting Labour MPs.
Passing the amendment would mean a major shift away from the UK’s existing constitutional settlement – which gives the executive powers to negotiate treaties.
The resignation came as ministers including Boris Johnson (left) and David Davis gathered for a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street
Environment Secretary Michael Gove was among those attending the meeting of Mrs May’s senior team today
Remainer Nicky Morgan (pictured left) is backing a customs union compromise amendment which was negotiated by former minister Oliver Letwin (pictured right)