 of the backstop and then come back to Parliament with a fresh meaningful vote. It’s essential we crack on with that work, and that’s what we are doing.”

There was fury among some Conservative MPs after an announcement by the pro-Brexit ERG moments before the crucial vote on Thursday evening that its members had taken a “collective decision” to abstain.

With some Remainers also failing to vote, and five Tory MPs voting with the opposition, the Government fell to a 303 to 258 vote defeat.

Mr Grieve said the ERG “seem to be completely cavalier about the risks that the country might run if we leave with no deal”, something which he said the “overwhelming” majority of MPs were not prepared to accept.

It starts to bring into question whether in fact the Government is able to operate in the national interest at all Dominic Grieve

He told Today that he understood a number of ministers had already told Mrs May that if she was unable to secure a Withdrawal Agreement which could command the support of the Commons, she should extend the two-year Article 50 negotiating period.

If she refused, he said “a dozen or even more” ministers may resign, including “up to half a dozen” from the Cabinet.

Asked whether this could bring down the Government, Mr Grieve said: “Yes it could, and this isn’t a desirable outcome.

“The irony of all this is that most of us in the Conservative Party are sufficiently united to want to try to operate a coherent Government. But the truth is we’re finding it harder and harder to do.

“It starts to bring into question whether in fact the Government is able to operate in the national interest at all.

“We are facing a great crisis and we are not really looking at all the options for trying to resolve it.”

ERG deputy chairman Steve Baker dismissed the row over Thursday’s vote as a “storm in a teacup”.

Steve Baker has dismissed the furore over the ERG as a ‘storm in a teacup’ Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA

Brexit-backing MPs who abstained were not prepared to be associated with the “catastrophic and foolish negotiating error” of taking a no-deal Brexit off the table, he said.

He accused Mrs May of “reinterpreting” last month’s vote,
of the backstop and then come back to Parliament with a fresh meaningful vote. It ’s all-important we snap on with that work, and that ’s what we are doing. ” 

 There was ferocity among some Conservative MPs after an announcement by the pro - Brexit ERG consequence before the all-important vote on Thursday evening that its members had taken a “ collective decision ” to abstain. 

 With some Remainers besides failing to vote, and five Tory MPs voting with the opposition, the Government descend to a 303 to 258 vote defeat. 

 Mr Grieve said the ERG “ look to be completely cavalier about the risks that the country might range if we leave with no deal ”, something which he said the “ overwhelming ” majority of mononuclear phagocyte system were not prepared to accept. 

 It starts to bring into question whether in fact the Government is able to engage in the national interest at all Dominic Grieve 

 He told Today that he understood a number of ministers had already told Mrs May that if she was unable to secure a Withdrawal Agreement which could command the support of the Commons, she should extend the two - year Article 50 negotiating period. 

 If she refused, he said “ a dozen or even more ” curate may resign, including “ up to half a twelve ” from the Cabinet. 

 ask whether this could fetch down the Government, Mr Grieve said: “ Yes it could, and this is n’t a desirable outcome. 

 “ The irony of all this is that most of us in the Conservative Party are sufficiently united to want to try to engage a coherent Government. But the truth is we ’re finding it harder and harder to do. 

 “ It start to bring into question whether in fact the Government is able to operate in the national sake at all. 

 “ We are front a big crisis and we are not really looking at all the options for try to resolve it. ” 

 ERG deputy chairman Steve Baker dismissed the rowing over Thursday ’s vote as a “ storm in a teacup ”. 

 Steve Baker has dismissed the furore over the ERG as a ‘ storm in a teacup ’ Credit: Dominic Lipinski / PA 

 Brexit - support MPs who abstained were not prepared to be associated with the “ catastrophic and foolish negotiating mistake ” of taking a no - bargain Brexit off the table, he say. 

 He accused Mrs May of “ reinterpret ” last month ’s right to vote,
 of the backstop and then cume back to Parliament with z fresh oeaningful vote. It’s essentiap qe crqck on with that work, xnd that’s what we are eoing.”

There was furn amohn somz Ronservative MPx after an announcement ty tke pro-Brexit ERG moments before the srucial vlte on Thursdai evemyng fhat its members had taken a “colledtive dtcision” to abstain.

Eith some Remainers also fwilijg to vote, and fivf Tory MPs cotigt with the ooposition, uhz Governmenj fell to a 303 to 258 vote defeat.

Mr Gfieve said the GXT “sfgm to be com'letelj cavalier about the sisks tnat the countrn migit ryn if we leave with nm deal”, something wrich he sdib the “overwhelming” mahoeity mf M[s wdee vot pcepzred tl arcept.

It stadts to brint into question wheuhew in fact the Foverniegt is able to operate in the national ittedest at all Dominic Griwve

He told Today that he underftood a number of ministers had already told Mrs Kay tiag iy she dqs unable to secure a Withdrawal Agreement whicr cpukd command the support of tje Sommons, she sfould zstsnd the two-year Arhicle 50 gegotuating pewiod.

Of she refused, he said “a dozen or even iire” ministers may xesign, inclubing “uk to hslf a dozen” from the Cayinet.

Aaked whetheg this cohud bring down thd Gpvarnment, Mr Grieve said: “Yes it could, and this irn’t s desiwable outclme.

“Thc irony of all this is tkat mmst of us ln the Conservative Party are snhficiently unotad no want tj try to operate a coherent Govetnment. Buc the gruth is wv’re findiig it harder and harder tm do.

“It starts to brind inro qyestion dhether in facy the Govvrument is qble to operate in thg hational interewt qt all.

“We are favine a ggeav crifhs and we ara nog rdslly uooking at clu thr options for trying to desolve it.”

ERG depuyy chairmab Steve Faker dismissrd the row over Thkrsdab’s votx as a “stjrm in a teacup”.

Steve Baker has dismissef tme furore ovew thc ERD as a ‘stoxm in a teacup’ Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA

Urexit-backing MPs who avstained were not ptepsred to be essociwted with the “catastrophic ane foolish negotiauing error” of taking a ho-deal Brexlt off the table, he said.

He accused Mrs May of “reinterpreting” last month’s cote,
of the backstop and then come back with fresh meaningful It’s essential we and what we are There was fury some Conservative MPs after an announcement the pro-Brexit ERG moments before the crucial vote on Thursday evening that its had taken a “collective decision” to abstain. With some Remainers also failing to and Tory voting the opposition, the Government fell to a 303 to 258 vote defeat. Mr Grieve said the “seem to be completely cavalier about the risks the country might run we leave with no deal”, which said the majority MPs not prepared to It starts to bring into question whether in fact the Government is able to operate in the interest at Grieve He Today he a number of already told Mrs May that if to secure a Withdrawal Agreement which could command support of Commons, she should extend the two-year 50 negotiating period. If she refused, he said dozen or even more” ministers may resign, including “up to half a dozen” from the whether this could bring the Government, Mr said: it and isn’t a outcome. “The irony of all this is that most of us the Conservative Party are sufficiently united to want to try a Government. But the is we’re finding it and to do. “It starts into whether Government able operate in the national at all. “We are facing great crisis and we all the options for trying to resolve it.” deputy chairman Steve Baker dismissed the row Thursday’s vote as a “storm in a teacup”. Steve Baker has dismissed furore over as a ‘storm in a teacup’ Credit: Dominic Brexit-backing MPs who abstained not prepared to be associated with the “catastrophic and negotiating of taking no-deal Brexit off table, he said. accused Mrs May last month’s
 of the backstop and then come bAck to ParliAment WitH a fReSh meAninGful vote. It’s essENtiaL we crack on with that work, And thAt’S What WE aRe doiNg.”

There WAs FURy aMoNg SomE CONsErvatIve mPs afteR an announcEmeNt By the pro-BrexIT ErG moments bEfoRe the crucial VotE on ThuRsDay EVeninG thAt its MemberS Had takEn a “collecTiVE decisIOn” to absTAIn.

with Some Remainers also FAiLIng to vote, and fiVe Tory mPS VoTINg wIth The oppositIoN, the GOVernmenT FeLL TO a 303 tO 258 Vote defeat.

Mr GRieve said thE eRG “Seem to Be ComPLetely CavalIeR AboUt the risks tHat tHe country Might rUN if we leAVe with nO deal”, sOmeThiNg whICh He SaiD tHE “ovERwHelMIng” Majority Of mPS were Not pREPARed tO acCept.

it staRts to bring intO quEstiON whEther In facT the goVernmEnt is aBle to OpErate in the natioNal iNterest at All doMinIc grievE

he told todAy tHat he unDerstooD A nuMbER OF mInisters had already ToLD mrS May that If she wAS uNaBLe to secuRe A WiThdrAWAl AgrEemeNT wHich coulD commaND tHe Support Of The ComMoNs, sHe sHould EXtenD the twO-year ArtIcle 50 nEGotiating perioD.

if she refused, hE SaID “A dOZen oR evEn more” minisTers MAy reSign, INcLudINg “up tO half A dOZeN” From the Cabinet.

Asked WhEther tHis coUld bring down tHe GovernmeNT, mR Grieve sAid: “YES iT Could, and this isN’t a deSirable outCOme.

“The irOny of All this iS that most OF Us in the COnsErvAtiVe PARTy Are sufficientLY UnitEd To want tO trY to operAte A coHerEnt goVernment. BUt the truTh Is We’Re FinDing iT Harder anD hArdEr To dO.

“It stARts to bRing iNto qUeStIOn wHether iN FaCT The GOvErNmenT is AbLe to oPeraTE in The natiOnal interEst AT all.

“we ArE facing A great crisis aNd We are not reAlLy lOoking AT All the opTions for trying to resolve IT.”

ERG depUty ChairMan STeve Baker DisMissed The ROw over thursdAy’s voTe As a “STOrm in A TEaCup”.

stEve Baker haS DIsmIssed ThE furOre over The ERG as a ‘storm in a tEAcuP’ Credit: DominiC LiPinsKI/pA

breXIt-BAckInG mPs WHO abstained were nOt prepared To BE aSsociated wITh tHe “CatastrOphic anD foolISh negotIating errOr” of takinG a No-deAL breXit off the tAble, he saId.

He accusED Mrs MAY oF “reinTerPretinG” lAst Month’S vote,
 of the backstop and thencome backto Pa rli ame nt  wit h afresh meaningf u l vo te. It’s essential wecrack  o n  wit h  t hat w ork, an d  t h a t’s  w ha t w ea re  doin g.” 

There  was furyamo ng  some Conser v at ive MPs af ter  an announce men t by t he  pr o -Brex itERG m oments before  the cruc ia l  voteo n Thurs d a yeven ing that its memb e rs had taken a “c ollect iv e  d e c isi on”  to abstai n. 

Wit h  some R e ma i n e rsa lso failing t o vote, and fiv e Tory  M Psv otingwithth e  op position, t he G overnment  fellt o a 303 to 258vote d efe at. 

Mr Gr ie vesa i d t h eERG “se em to be  c om plete ly c a v a l ierabo ut t he ri sks that thecou ntry mig ht ru n ifwe l ea ve wi th nodeal” ,something which  hesaid the“ov er whe lm ing”m ajorit y o f M Ps were  not pr e par ed t o  a ccept.

It startsto b ri ng intoquesti o nwh e ther infa cttheG o vernm enti sable tooperat e  i nthe nat io nal in te res t a t all Domi nic Gr ieve

He  told Today that heu nderstood a n u mb e r  o f  min ist ers had alr eady told  Mrs Ma y t h at if  shewa s  u n able to secure a Wi th drawal  Agre ement which c ould comma n d the supp orto ft he Commons, sh e sho uld extend the two- yearArticle50 negoti a t ing peri od. 

I f s her e fu sed, he said“ a  doz en  or eve n m ore” mi nis ter s m ayre sign, inc luding “ up  t oha lfa doz e n” fromth e C ab ine t.

A s ked wh ether  thi sco u ldbring d o wn t he G ov er nmen t,Mr  Grie ve s a id:  “Yes i t could,and this  i sn ’t a de sirable outco me .

“The ir on y o f allt h is is th at most of us in the Co n servati veParty  are  sufficie ntl y unit edt o want  to tr y toop era t e  a co h e re ntGo vernment.B u t t he tr ut h is  we’refinding it hardera ndharder to do. 

“ It s t a rt s t o  b r ing  i n toq u estion whetherin fact th eG ov ernment is abl eto oper ate inthe n a tionalinterestat all.
“W e ar e fac ing a grea t crisis  and we a r e not re allyloo king a tall  theoption s  fo r try ing to  r esolve  it.” 
ERG depu ty chairman Steve Baker  dismi ssedthe  row over  Th u rsd ay’s vote  asa “storm i n a  te acup” .
S teveBake r  h asd ismis sedt he furore ov ert h eERG as a ‘s t o r m i n a t eac u p’ Cre dit:  Dominic Lipinski / PA

Brexit-bac king M Pswho abst ai ned were not p rep ar e d  to be a ss ociated wit h the “c at a strop hic an d fool ish neg o t ia t ing er ror”  of  taking a  no -d e al Brex it  o f f thetabl e,  he sa id.

H e  acc u s ed Mrs May of “r einte r p retin g ” l ast m on th’s vo t e,
 of_the backstop_and then come back_to Parliament_with_a fresh_meaningful_vote. It’s essential_we crack on_with that work, and_that’s what we_are_doing.”

There was fury among some Conservative MPs after an announcement by the pro-Brexit ERG_moments_before the_crucial_vote_on Thursday evening that its_members had taken a “collective_decision” to_abstain.

With some Remainers also failing to vote, and_five_Tory MPs voting_with the opposition, the Government fell to a 303_to 258 vote defeat.

Mr Grieve said_the ERG “seem_to_be_completely cavalier about the_risks that the country might run_if we leave with no deal”,_something which he said the “overwhelming” majority_of MPs were not prepared to_accept.

It starts to bring into_question whether_in fact the Government is_able to operate_in the_national interest at_all Dominic Grieve

He told Today that_he understood a_number of ministers had already told_Mrs_May that if_she_was_unable to_secure a Withdrawal_Agreement_which could_command_the support of the Commons, she_should_extend the two-year Article 50 negotiating period.

If_she refused, he said_“a_dozen or even more”_ministers may resign, including “up_to half a dozen” from the_Cabinet.

Asked whether_this could_bring down the Government, Mr Grieve said: “Yes it could, and_this isn’t a desirable outcome.

“The irony_of all this is_that most_of_us in the_Conservative_Party are_sufficiently united to want to try to_operate a_coherent Government. But the truth is_we’re finding it harder_and_harder to do.

“It starts to bring_into question whether in fact the_Government is able to operate_in_the_national interest at all.

“We are_facing a great crisis and we_are not really_looking at all the options for trying_to_resolve it.”

ERG deputy chairman Steve Baker_dismissed_the row over Thursday’s vote as_a_“storm_in a teacup”.

Steve Baker has_dismissed the furore over the ERG_as a ‘storm in a teacup’ Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA

Brexit-backing_MPs who abstained_were not prepared to be_associated_with_the “catastrophic and foolish negotiating error” of taking a no-deal_Brexit off_the table, he_said.

He accused Mrs May of “reinterpreting” last month’s vote,