Theresa May faced a growing Tory revolt over her leadership as it emerged that Remain-supporting Conservative MPs are being told by party whips that they will be seen as “supporting Jeremy Corbyn” if they attempt to soften the Brexit bill. Furious Conservatives, including former ministers, said such threats and arm-twisting from the whips’ office would “backfire” spectacularly, making it more likely the prime minister would face a leadership challenge this autumn. If 15% of Tory MPs write to Brady expressing no confidence in her, a leadership contest has to be called. Another former minister, the outspoken pro-Remain MP Anna Soubry, told the Observer that it was unacceptable for whips to try to stop Conservative MPs tabling and backing amendments to the Brexit bill by threatening them. “We have made time for proper parliamentary scrutiny of Brexit legislation and welcome the contributions of MPs from across the House.

Source: The Guardian September 02, 2017 21:00 UTC