Hardline backbench Brexiteer, Jacob Rees-Mogg, is reportedly set to hand in a letter of no confidence in Theresa May as leader of the Conservative Party, in protest at the deal she has agreed upon with the EU.
Christopher Hope, Chief Political Correspondent at The Daily Telegraph, is reporting that the Brexiteer will submit his letter later today, according to unnamed sources.
If true, it would be a pivotal moment for those angry Tory MPs unhappy at the Brexit draft withdrawal agreement.
A total of 48 letters from Conservative MPs need to be issued to trigger a vote of no confidence. Such a move could spark a leadership challenge.
BREAKING Eurosceptic Tory leader Jacob Rees-Mogg to submit letter of no confidence in Theresa May as Conservative leader later today, sources confirm
— Christopher Hope (@christopherhope) November 15, 2018
Jacob Rees-Mogg WILL submit a letter today calling for no confidence vote in Theresa May, sources say. Seems like leadership challenge is on. Where we will be by the end of today is literally anyone's guess.
— Gordon Rayner (@gordonrayner) November 15, 2018
Jacob Rees Mogg threatened to write a letter of no confidence in Theresa May. To her face. Cojones are out.
— Dan Bloom (@danbloom1) November 15, 2018
In response, May’s spokesperson stated that she would contest any leadership challenge.
The Prime Minister's spokesman says Theresa May would fight any vote of confidence against her
— Sky News Breaking (@SkyNewsBreak) November 15, 2018
In parliament, a stony-faced Rees-Mogg told May during that what she says and what she does “no longer match,” and openly threatened to submit the letter of no-confidence.
READ MORE: ‘Government is in chaos’: Corbyn slams May’s Brexit deal, as ministers abandon ship
Rees-Mogg is a leader of the anti-EU European Research Group (ERG), a Tory faction who boast around 60 MPs as members and are pushing for a hard-Brexit.
Rees-Mogg has until now been supportive of openly Theresa May, if not of her Brexit plans. But now it would appear, the well-spoken Brexiteer has been tipped over the edge, and has for the first time given the PM a public dressing down.
It’s thought the ex-Etonian is pushing for a Canada-style free trade agreement with the EU, which has the backing of around 80 MPs and former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, according to the Times.
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