Is May's time up? Brexit backers plot leadership challenge

After months of veiled threats and dark warnings, the pro-Brexit army of hardliners have finally mobilised. Their informal leader - Jacob Rees-Mogg - has submitted his letter of no-confidence to Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee of rank-and-file Conservatives.

Where he goes, other "Brexiteers" will likely follow. The Brexit blueprint - finally published - was unacceptable to them for making far too many concessions to the European Union.

• READ: Pound tumbles, gilts rally as UK Brexit secretary steps down

Brady oversees the process and requires 48 letters to formally start the process that could end with May’s ousting. It was always clear they had numbers to mount a challenge - less clear if they had the numbers to get rid of her. The coming days could provide the answers as the Conservatives descend into open warfare.

The news broke as May was defending her plan to Parliament for more than three hours. They didn’t wait to hear her out before scurrying off to plot her downfall.

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