Downing Street 'wanted to bring in SAS commander to give tearful Theresa May pep talk after election disaster'

Prime Minister's aide reportedly suggested calling special forces soldier for pep talk to boost 'resilience'

Downing Street officials were reportedly concerned about her welfare following the general election (Getty Images)

One of Theresa May's aides reportedly suggested calling in the SAS to give her a pep talk as she struggled with a crisis of confidence following the general election and the Grenfell Tower fire.

The Prime Minister is said to have repeatedly broken down in tears after surrendering the Conservative majority and criticism of her response to the inferno that killed at least 80 people.

Downing Street became so concerned about her state of mind that one official suggested sending for an SAS commander to boost her "resilience", according to the Sunday Times.

"She was absolutely beaten, grey-skinned. I've seen people with shell shock and she looked worse than that," said one senior member of staff.

On one occasion, Ms May had to have her make-up redone before visiting the Queen because she had been crying, the report added. Officials began to fear she would resign.

A Conservative politician told the newspaper there was "a high degree of uncertainty about whether Theresa May would survive".

An aide reportedly told Gavin Barwell, Ms May's new chief of staff: "I can get you former special forces commanders... people who have been in crunching encounters. They will realise it is in the national interest to keep her on track and keep her going."

The offer was not taken up.

Buckingham Palace was also concerned and exasperated by Ms May's behaviour following the election, it was reported.

The Queen's private secretary, Sir Christopher Geidt, was said to have struggled to get answers from Downing Street about rumours the Conservative leader was on the brink of resigning and progress on her attempts to form a government with the support of the Democratic Unionist Party.