Theresa May refuses to say if ministers will be sacked if they vote to delay Brexit

Theresa May has refused to say whether ministers will be sacked if they vote for a plan which could see Brexit delayed beyond March 29.

A proposal put forward by Labour’s Yvette Cooper could force the government to get an extension to the Article 50 negotiating process if a withdrawal agreement has not been agreed by March 13.

On Saturday, cabinet ministers Amber Rudd, Greg Clark and David Gauke seemed to offer support for the plan, and in a joint article called for Brexit to be delayed if a deal cannot be signed off “in the coming week”.

At a press conference in the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh, where she is attending an EU-League of Arab States summit, May was asked if members of the government would be allowed to back the Cooper plan.

The Prime Minster refused to engage with the question, merely stating that the government motion proving an update on the Brexit talks – which is what Cooper is hoping to amend – has yet to be put before MPs.

When asked to acknowledge that she might have to delay Article 50 in order to get a deal secured, May replied: “What we’re working for is to deliver what parliament asked us to do, what they were concerned about in relation to the backstop.

“We’re doing that. We’re working with the European Union on that…we’ve had constructive meetings over the last week. My team will be back in Brussels tomorrow continuing those discussions.

“As I say, I believe it is within our grasp to leave with a deal on 29th of March and I think that’s where all our energies should be focused.

“Any delay is a delay, it doesn’t address the issue, it doesn’t resolve the issue. I think there is, as I say, the opportunity to leave with a deal on the 29th of March and that’s what we’re going to be working on.”

European Council president Donald Tusk, also attending the summit, revealed he had discussed with May the possibility of extending the talks beyond March 29.

He said: “I believe that in the situation we are in, an extension would be a rational decision but Prime Minister May still believes she will be able to avoid this scenario.”

Tusk added: “For me, it’s absolutely clear that there’s no majority in the House of Commons to approve a deal, we will face an alternative: a chaotic Brexit or an extension.

“The less time there is until the 29 March the greater the likelihood of an extension. This is an objective fact, not our intention or plan, but an objective fact.”

May has confirmed a vote on her deal won’t be held this week, but it will take place by March 12.