Would-be leader Raab says May's position is 'untenable'

Tory Brexiteers and Remainers traded bitter recriminations today after Theresa May survived a dramatic no-confidence vote. 

As the smoke cleared after the extraordinary coup bid, Dominic Raab and Iain Duncan Smith confirmed they were among 117 MPs who voted against the PM.

Ex-Brexit Secretary Mr Raab said he feared Mrs May was incapable of securing an acceptable deal from the EU, and her clinging on made a Jeremy Corbyn government more likely. 

Mr Duncan Smith said the revolt by more than a third of the Parliamentary party, which used his office as a base, had 'sent a message' that Mrs May needs to change tack.  

Boris Johnson is also thought to have gone against the premier, although he refused to confirm which way he voted, and David Davis had hinted that he would rebel. 

But the pro-EU Conservative wing hit back furiously demanding that the hardliners accept they had lost the ballot - or leave the party altogether. 

The vicious infighting came as Mrs May confirmed she will not try to lead the party into the next general election.

The Prime Minister publicly conceded that although in her 'heart' she wants to fight on, her time in power is coming to an end as she arrived in Brussels for a crunch summit.

And she urged EU counterparts to make concessions on the Irish border backstop that can get the package 'over the line'.  





MailOnline