SHE MAY SURVIVE
Tory plotters DON’T have the numbers to topple Theresa May yet, party backbench boss confirms
Graham Brady said he hasn't yet received the 48 letters from MPs needed to trigger a vote on the PM's future
TORY rebels DON'T have enough support to topple Theresa May yet, it emerged today.
The PM could face a leadership vote this week as furious Brexiteers continue their bid to kick her out.
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If 48 MPs write to Tory backbench chief Graham Brady, he will have to arrange a vote of confidence within days.
But today Sir Graham confirmed he hasn't received enough letters to trigger a poll yet - in a boost for Mrs May after her Brexit deal triggered a week of chaos.
And he accused some colleagues of lying when they claim to have sent in a letter calling for a vote.
Sir Graham, chairman of the powerful 1922 Committee of backbenchers, told the BBC that even his wife Victoria - who works as his assistant - doesn't know how many letters are in.
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He said: “One thing which is absolutely clear in the rules is that if anybody were to write a letter then it must be kept confidential.
"It’s up to them whether they want to say they’ve done it but certainly it would be wrong for me to say.”
Asked if anyone who claims they've sent a letter is lying about it, Sir Graham replied: “Yes. This isn’t a new phenomenon.”
He insisted that if he does receive 48 letters he will announce it as soon as possible.
He said: "Some of the speculation that I might have received 48 letters two months ago is incorrect.
“I think sometimes it’s slightly offensive as well, this is a job that I couldn’t do unless my colleagues trusted me.
“It’s an important responsibility, it’s one I take very seriously, and obviously I wouldn’t play silly games with it."
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Earlier today Mrs May was asked whether she thought the threshold had been passed already.
She said: "As far as I know, no, the answer to your question is no."
The PM added: "I spoke to Sir Graham Brady at the end of last week, I have regular conversations with Sir Graham Brady.
"Graham Brady will make it known if 48 letters are reached."
Asked about Mrs May's comments, Sir Graham replied: "You can draw your own inferences from that."
He praised the PM's strength in the face of adversity, saying: "A lot of people both within Parliament and outside feel tremendous admiration for Theresa May.
"She has got this remarkable ability to keep going."
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The Sun is aware of 39 Tory MPs who claim to have sent in a letter to Sir Graham already after Jacob Rees-Mogg called for a leadership contest.
And leading Brexiteers have suggested the threshold of 48 has already been passed.
But Sir Graham's comments today cast doubt on the likelihood of an imminent leadership vote.
If he does get the 48 letters, he is likely to hold the vote of confidence within a couple of days.
Mrs May would need to win the support of 158 MPs to stay as leader - and if she succeeded, she would be safe from a challenge for another year.
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If she lost, there would be a leadership election in which the PM would not be allowed to stand.
Leading candidates to replace her would include rebel Brexiteers Dominic Rab and Boris Johnson, as well as current ministers Jeremy Hunt and Sajid Javid.
Mr Raab today insisted he still supports Mrs May despite quitting over her Brexit deal - saying: "I would never in any circumstances send a letter to the 1922 Committee."
Theresa May says the '48 letter limit has not been reached' to trigger a no-confidence vote
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