Brexit: Theresa May in last-ditch appeal to Brussels to avoid defeat

Theresa May is preparing to go back to Brussels and demand a better Brexit deal in a bid to convince her backbenchers not to hand her a humiliating defeat in the Commons.

Prime Minister Theresa May

However, Downing Street has insisted that a vote will still go ahead on Tuesday despite speculation the Prime Minister might be forced to delay the showdown.

Mrs May warned Tory MPs they risk handing Jeremy Corbyn the keys to Number 10 unless they back her Brexit deal.

The Prime Minister warned Tory would-be rebels the country would be in "uncharted waters" if the deal is rejected.

"We have a leader of the Opposition who thinks of nothing but attempting to bring about a general election, no matter what the cost to the country... I believe Jeremy Corbyn getting his hands on power is a risk we cannot afford to take."

Reports suggest Mrs May could make an emergency trip to Brussels ahead of a planned summit on Thursday in an effort to secure further concessions in an effort to win over critics of her plan.

The Prime Minister's comments came as her Government was hit by another resignation over the Brexit plan.

Will Quince, a ministerial aide to Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, hit out at the backstop plan to avoid a hard border with Ireland, saying it could result in the UK being "tied to the negotiating table for years, until we agree to anything in desperation" to get out of the situation.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Quince said: "I do not want to be explaining to my constituents why Brexit is still not over and we are still obeying EU rules in the early 2020s or beyond."

The same newspaper reported that another parliamentary private secretary was on the verge of quitting, and said Cabinet Brexiteer Penny Mordaunt was considering whether to back the deal or resign.

With the vote expected to result in a Government defeat, some Cabinet ministers have urged her to delay while others have already begun promoting the idea of alternatives. Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd suggested a Norway-plus model, remaining in both the single market and customs union, as a "plausible" option that could get through the House of Commons.

A rejection for Mrs May's deal could also boost the cause of campaigners calling for a second referendum.

"If you want Brexit, make sure you get it, and that's about this deal," she said. "I think most people want us to do this, to get it done and get it all wrapped up by Christmas and actually focus on the future."

Mrs May's position appears precarious, with potential rivals on manoeuvres in case she is ousted or quits. Brexiteers Boris Johnson, David Davis and Priti Patel all addressed grassroots Conservative activists on Saturday at the National Conservative Convention, fuelling speculation about their ambitions.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt have also been touted as a potential joint ticket.

Ahead of the Commons showdown, controversial activist Tommy Robinson will lead a pro-Brexit march in London on Sunday - with a rival counter-demonstration set to oppose it.

Elsewhere in the capital, a rally will be held by the pro-EU Best for Britain and the second referendum campaign the People's Vote, featuring politicians including Lord Heseltine and celebrities such as actors Charles Dance and Jason Isaacs.

Lord Heseltine will warn politicians that Britain's youth will "never forgive us" unless they are given the chance to reverse Brexit.