The Prime Minister had been asked to address a meeting of the 1922 Committee but has rejected the influential backbench group as the Brexit crisis deepens.
Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has fanned the flames of suspicion the Prime Minister will make a statement outside Number 10 this evening by saying he understands Theresa May will be addressing the nation tonight.
The Telegraph’s Christopher Hope confirmed Mrs May is not attending tonight’s 1922 committee meeting, which is underway now, despite “repeated requests that she turns up to speak to her MPs”.
Downing Street has not commented on rumours the Prime Minister will speak to Britons live outside Number 10 this evening although it is understood she will make a statement.
It is unclear what Theresa May plans to say or what time she will speak however the Prime Minister will meet leaders of all opposition parties inside her parliamentary office at 6pm.
The leaders of the Labour Party, SNP, Liberal Democrats, Green Party, Plaid Cymru and the Independent Group are understood to have been invited.
Asked about whether Mrs May will make a statement tonight, her official spokesman would not rule the speech out.
He said: “I don’t have anything for you on that.”
Today, Mrs May wrote to European Council President Donald Tusk begging for a three-month Brexit delay.
The Prime Minister has said she is only prepared to prolong Brexit until June 30.
Mr Tusk confirmed he expects an extension to Article 50 would be possible but warned any delay would come with conditions.
In her letter, Mrs May said she will try to get her Brexit deal passed through Parliament in a third vote “as soon as possible”.
More to follow…
