Tory rivals will only force May out after she’s got Brexit deal through

TORY would-be leaders were today urged to get behind Theresa May's Brexit plan - because it's the best way to get her out.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned the country won't be able to move on until Brexit is put to bed.

And he blasted rebel MPs who refuse to back the PM - putting our EU departure at risk.

Mrs May last night saw off an attempt to kick her out of power as soon as mid-June, meaning she is safe for a challenge until the end of the year.

Asked if she should go anyway, Mr Hancock defended the PM - and hinted that leadership rivals should stand behind her because she's promised to quit when she's delivered Brexit.

He told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "What we need to do is get on, deliver Brexit and then we can be talking about all the other things like improvements to the NHS and equal opportunities.

"I want to get on and talk about those things we can do to improve our country.";

The minister added: "The withdrawal agreement is the way to deliver Brexit and changing the leader doesn't change anything."

Mr Hancock is expected to throw his hat into the ring to replace Mrs May.

He said today: "We need to have a positive, compelling vision that is firmly rooted in the centre ground."

Other contenders such as Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab and Jeremy Hunt have ramped up their campaigns even before Mrs May has named the date for her departure.

The PM will step down if the House of Commons finally signs off her Brexit deal.

Party bosses have asked her to lay out the timetable for her resignation in the event MPs still refuse to back the withdrawal agreement.

Mrs May is considering bringing her deal back to the Commons as soon as next week.

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