Justice Secretary David Gauke claims there is a case for free votes on Brexit

Justice Secretary David Gauke has said “there is a case for free votes” when Parliament debate the Brexit motion on Tuesday.

Gauke has joined Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd in suggesting that MPs should be able to vote according to their personal views ahead of Tuesday’s Commons vote where Article 50 could be extended.

He also reiterated that he may have to reconsider his position if there was a no-deal Brexit, which he told the BBC could be “pretty disastrous” for the UK.

But Gauke has also warned against the UK’s departure from the EU being “railroaded through”.

"What I have said repeatedly is if there is a conscious choice 'right, that's it, we're going no deal' when there are other options available, that would be something I would find extremely difficult,” he told the BBC.

When asked if he supported MPs being allowed to vote freely on extending article 50, he said: "I think there is a case for free votes in this area to resolve things.

"As far as Tuesday is concerned… we need to see what all the amendments are going to be, to see whether Tuesday is a crunch point or not.

"I do think that Parliament is entitled to be involved in this process."

Rudd, who like Gauke, voted Remain in the referendum, has also called for free votes to be allowed ahead of Tuesday’s Commons vote in order to see what Brexit solution could command a majority.

She also suggested that the EU could be prepared to grant “a couple of weeks” extension to the March 29 deadline.

However, Commons leader Andrea Leadsom backed Theresa May’s plan to leave a no deal option on the table and said she had concerns about a bill, proposed by Labour MP Yvette Cooper, which could extend Article 50 by nine months.