Tory committee chair expects departure plan from May 'on Friday'

The chair of the powerful 1922 committee of Conservative MPs said he expected Theresa May on Friday to give him a timetable for her departure as Prime Minister or party rules would be amended to allow a no-confidence vote.

Sir Graham Brady told the Press Association on Thursday May could announce her decision to quit tomorrow.

"I want her to give a timetable for when she will go. I think this blank denial from Number 10 today may be a smokescreen because she does not want to influence the outcome of the European elections. Maybe she will still quit tomorrow," he said.

When asked what would happen if May did not announce a resignation date, Brady said: "I think there will be overwhelming pressure for the 22 to change the rules and hold a ballot on confidence in the prime minister."

May fended off a coup last December and under current party rules cannot be challenged for 12 months, however, growing dissatisfaction from pro-Brexit Tory MPs over her Brexit deal has increased pressure to amend rules to pave the way for a new no-confidence vote.

The committee's executive recently narrowly ruled against any alterations.