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Shamed sex text MP Andrew Griffiths will be able to vote tonight to help keep Theresa May in power after the Conservative party whip was restored, it has been revealed.

Mr Griffiths had been suspended from the Tory Party since mid-July for sending a series of vile sex texts to two Burton barmaids, but the Chief Whip has restored his place in the Party to enable him to vote.

He has already told Burton Live that he will be supporting Mrs May in the fight to keep her position.

He said: “Theresa May has shown huge determination and bravery in negotiating and arguing for her deal.

"I believe she remains the best person to deliver the Brexit people in Burton and Uttoxeter voted for, and I will be supporting her in tonight’s ballot.”

He has been sitting as an independent MP since his suspension from the Party. He also resigned as minister for small business but has refused to step down as MP for Burton and Uttoxeter.

But Mrs May now needs his support in the secret ballot as a Conservative MP to help win a majority and save her job following the decision to call a vote of no confidence.

The vote will be cast tonight after some Conservative MPs were unhappy about the progress of Mrs May's Brexit negotiations and the required total of 48 MPs casting votes of no confidence - 15 per cent of the Tories - has now been achieved.

There are 315 MPs sitting for the Conservative Party. Mrs May needs to win the backing of at least 50 per cent of the vote plus one, which equates to at least 158 votes.

However, voting numbers had been unclear because Mr Griffiths and MP Chris Elphicke had the whip removed.

Mr Elphicke has been suspended by the Conservatives after "serious allegations" over alleged sexual offences that have been referred to the police, the party has said.

Mr Elphicke, a former party whip who has been the MP for Dover since 2010, has denied any wrongdoing.

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