Brexit: Conservative minister says 'we might have to extend Article 50' if Theresa May's deal defeated

Margot James admitted there could be too 'little time' to create an alternative to Ms May's deal before Brexit day

A minister has said the UK may have to delay Brexit if MPs reject the deal agreed between Theresa May and the European Union.

Margot James admitted there could be too “little time” to create an alternative before Brexit day, if the vote now expected on January 15 goes against the prime minister.

She urged fellow Conservatives to back Ms May’s proposals as the only way to definitely ensure the UK does not crash out of the EU on March 29 without a deal.

It comes as Downing Street prepares to host Conservative MPs on Monday evening as the PM’s drive to persuade her backbenchers to fall into line continues.

The European Union is said to be considering offering Ms May a letter giving further reassurances about the temporary nature of the ‘backstop’, which is at the heart of Tory opposition to her plans.

Ms James told the BBC’s Politics Live show: “If [passing the deal] proves to be impossible then we have very little time left, we might have to extend Article 50.

“But I think it’s very unlikely that parliament will actually stare down the barrel of that particular gun and I think it’s far more likely that parliament will actually get behind the deal.”

She would not comment on how long Article 50 might need to be extended for, but said that the real issue was that MPs needed to back Ms May’s deal to absolutely sure of blocking a no-deal Brexit.

Labour shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said: “The European Union have said...that we can extend Article 50, but we can’t extend Article 50 just so we can continue arguing.

“We need to have a game-changer which means a new government, a new prime minister, a new negotiating plan – then there is a reason to extend Article 50.

“If the reason...is just because of the manifest failure of the current government, then another three months is not going to make any difference.”

MPs will begin debating Theresa May’s Brexit on Wednesday without knowing whether the prime minister has secured any further concessions from the EU.

No 10 has accepted the “reassurances” it is seeking on the Irish border backstop will not come before the withdrawal agreement returns to the Commons on Wednesday, The Independent understands.

But it emerged on Monday that anything that did come from Brussels before the vote expected next Tuesday, is unlikely to go beyond written reassurances in the form of a letter, with the possibility of something more being offered if the vote goes against Ms May.

Rebellious backbenchers who are set to defeat the government were once again invited to attend a Downing Street drinks event on Monday evening, where the PM’s aides planned to try and win over their support.

Asked if people were likely to change their minds about Ms May’s deal, one MP joked to The Independent: “I’m pretty sure the prime minister is wavering.”

More than 1.1 million people have now signed The Independent‘s petition to allow the British people a final say on whatever the outcome of Brexit.