Brexiteers led by Iain Duncan Smith confront PM in Downing Street summit – as DUP leader fires ominous warning

BREXITEERS tonight confronted Theresa May over her proposed deal as she fought off the coup against her for another day.

Despite a huge push for dissenters to put their letters of no confidence in ASAP, there still aren't enough to trigger a vote - but the PM was dealt a blow as her DUP allies rubbished the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

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Ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith led a delegation to No10 this evening for an hour of talks with Mrs May where they tried to push her to drop the Irish backstop plan.

The group of Brexiteers presented their own plan to keep the Irish border open using hi-tech solutions.

While the meeting was going on, DUP boss Arlene Foster slammed the PM's proposed deal - and insisted the backstop is not needed.

She said: "The agreement that has been put on the table is clearly not a good deal and no one should be forced into accepting another false choice.

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"This really bad deal would lock us into the EU with no way out. We would be trapped.

"Those attempting to sell the current deal are using the threat of No Deal as the only other option. I appreciate the concerns people have about a No Deal but this should not be a binary choice.

";It is absolutely clear that it is time to work for a better deal."

Desperate Tories were encouraging rebels to put in their letters to trigger a vote of no confidence in her today.

A letter was put in this afternoon by Philip Hollobone saying he no longer supported the PM, but the rebels trying to boot the PM out are still several short.

And one betting firm, said that the odds of her winning a confidence vote has soared from 57 per cent to 80 per cent over the weekend.

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Yesterday top Tory Sir Graham Brady said some MPs were LYING about sending in their letters calling for Mrs May to go.

Tory MP Anne Marie Morris, who has put in her own letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister, said there was "no question" that the magic 48 letters that are needed, would be reached this week.

And colleague Simon Clarke added: "Colleagues who have said they will act, I think now need to search their consciences and follow up on what they pledged to do."

Many MPs have been taking soundings from other Conservatives in their constituencies before making a decision.

Andrew Bridgen, who has also put in a letter, told LBC he expected the total of 48 to be reached "by the end of the day".

Ex-Brexit Secretary David Davis said it sounded like "over 40" had been put in - but he wasn't one of them.

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Many MPs have been taking soundings from other Conservatives in their constituencies before making a decision.But Brexiteer Steve Baker said yesterday that 50 MPs had pledged to him they would write letters.

It was also reported today that the 'Gang of Five' who have been plotting to get Mrs May to change her deal - were also giving up hope.

Sources told the Daily Mail that talks were set to focus on what to do if the PM's deal was voted down by MPs next month, because they felt they could no longer change her deal.

Meanwhile, a defiant Mrs May has insisted that she is the one to deliver her Brexit deal - as a Tory hit squad of rebels scrambled to get in enough letters of no confidence to oust her.

The Prime Minister got a rapturous reception from businesses this morning as she promised to deliver a Brexit that would take back control of our laws and immigration policy - even as one leader warned it would keep us tied to the EU for years to come.

She defiantly told the CBI's annual gathering today: "We have in view a deal which will be good for the UK... And let no one be in any doubt - I am determined to deliver it."

Mrs May said she would bring an "end to free movement, once and for all" and slapped down MPs who are trying to renegotiate her deal - insisting it's already done and dusted "in full".

But the Prime Minister refused to rule out an extension to the transition period, saying only it would have to end before the next general election.

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Yesterday Tory backbench chairman Sir Graham Brady insisted he had not had enough to trigger the vote yet - and predicted Mrs May would win any challenge.

Zac Goldsmith and Bill Cash yesterday took the total number who have publicly revealed they had sent a letter to 25, while a further 17 have privately admitted they have written to Sir Graham.

But former whip Andrew Mitchell warned against a contest - saying it would look as if "we are hunting the Prime Minister down as happened with Margaret Thatcher" which would do "damage in the eyes of the public".

As another day of chaos unfolded in Westminster:

• Boris Johnson blasted the PM's Brexit deal as an "appalling sell out" and revealed how he would save Brexit himself
• Two more ministers - Andrea Leadsom and Penny Mordaunt - are on the verge of quitting after Theresa May refused to renegotiate her agreement
• Michel Barnier admitted Britain could be locked into the EU until December 2022
• Jeremy Corbyn said the country had united behind hating Theresa May's deal
• And Britain is running out of space to stockpile frozen foods as businesses start to panic about a No Deal Brexit

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Business chiefs will today get behind the PM - warning rebels to back her or face the "wrecking ball" of a No Deal Brexit.

CBI President John Allan will beg Brexiteer rebels to talk to firms in their constituencies about the risk of sinking the PM’s agreement.

Mrs May was backed up this morning by the former President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, who told the BBC there was very little prospect of changing the Brexit deal at this late stage - and it was basically a "take it or leave it" deal.

"Theresa May must now go back to Brussels and negotiate a better deal," he said.

But yesterday the leftie boss admitted he hadn't even read all of the 600-page agreement yet.

Jeremy Corbyn also addressed the CBI conference this afternoon.

This morning he used an article in the to say Mrs May had got the country to unite around hating her Brexit deal - and insisted that Labour would vote against it.

"Theresa May must now go back to Brussels and negotiate a better deal," he said.

But yesterday the leftie boss admitted he hadn't even read all of the 600-page agreement yet.