Chief Whip ‘tells 1922 executive that Theresa May will not stand down’

Chief Whip Julian Smith has reportedly told the executive of the 1922 Committee that Theresa May will not stand down.

It came as the backbench committee met to discuss a possible rule change to allow a fresh bid to oust her once the results of tomorrow’s European Parliament elections — expected to be a disaster — have been counted. 

Mr Smith met with the executive of the committee on Wednesday in a meeting which lasted just two minutes.

He told the meeting that Mrs May was not going to step down, Sky News reported. 

It came as she refused to meet Cabinet ministers amid rumours about her future. 

A series of Cabinet ministers asked for meetings with Mrs May to raise their concerns about the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) which would put the Prime Minister’s Brexit plan into law.

Downing Street sources said it was possible that the PM could meet Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Thursday, but there was no confirmation that an audience would be granted for other ministers with reservations about the plan.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid has asked for a meeting to discuss his concerns about the prospect of a second referendum after Mrs May revealed she would grant MPs a vote on whether the Brexit deal should be put to the public.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell also has particular concerns because he fears the prospect of another referendum could be “exploited” by the SNP to call for a fresh independence vote.