Theresa May expected to confirm departure date as backbench showdown nears

Theresa May is expected to fire the starting gun on a Tory leadership race imminently by confirming her plans to stand down as prime minister.

Sky News understands she will finally bend to the pressure of backbenchers and ministers and name the date of her departure from Number 10 later today.

Downing Street has not confirmed the move.

Mrs May is braced for a showdown this morning with Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 committee of all Tory MPs.

She will be asked to confirm when she plans to resign, regardless of whether her flagship Brexit legislation to transform her deal into law passes in parliament.

If the prime minister refuses, Sir Graham will open a sealed letter containing the results of a ballot from the 1922’s executive committee about whether to change party rules to force her out.

The immunity she has from a Tory rebellion until December could crumble if a majority agree to allow another no-confidence vote.

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Skynews