Theresa May is in a desperate battle for her political life today after Boris Johnson dramatically quit over her ‘third way’ Brexit plan.
The Foreign Secretary resigned just 30 minutes before the PM is due to run the gauntlet in the Commons in a statement to MPs about the compromise package she forced through the Cabinet on Friday night.
Mrs May must then endure the pressure cooker of a private meeting with Tory backbenchers amid a massive backlash from Eurosceptics that is threatening to sweep her out of Downing Street.
But the premier’s grip on Downing Street is hanging by a thread after Mr Johnson delivered his bombshell news after hours of speculation about his intentions. Mrs May’s allies will fear a bid to oust her will come almost immediately.
A No10 spokesman said: ‘This afternoon, the Prime Minister accepted the resignation of Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary. His replacement will be announced shortly. The Prime Minister thanks Boris for his work.’
Senior Tory Brexiteers Jacob Rees-Mogg said the departure was more ‘proof that Chequers is not Brexit’.