Brexit: Philip Hammond urges MPs to 'get together in a room' to solve crisis with May's deal heading for defeat

Philip Hammond has urged MPs of all parties to “get themselves together in a room” to find a solution to the Brexit crisis, admitting Theresa May’s deal is all-but dead.

The chancellor took the extraordinary step of asking the Commons to seize control with an alternative plan, saying: “Let’s hear about it this week and then we can move forward.”

Mr Hammond attacked Tory plotters seeking to topple the prime minister as “self-indulgent” – but admitted cabinet members are “very frustrated” with her.

The comments will inflame Brexiteer Tories, some inside the cabinet, who oppose “indicative votes”, fearing the Commons will chart a way to a softer Brexit – or even a Final Say referendum.

Mr Hammond said he was still battling for Ms May’s deal, but admitted: “It’s looking very difficult to bring together a majority for it.”

Amid claims of a “cabinet coup” being hatched, the chancellor denied the prime minister had “run out of road”, insisting: “Changing the prime minister wouldn’t help this.”

He denied reports that he wanted David Lidington, Ms May's de facto deputy, to be installed as a caretaker prime minister, saying: “That's not right at all.

“My position is that this isn't about individuals – this is about how we move forward,” he told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme

However, Mr Hammond did lift the lid on the cabinet infighting, saying: “People are very frustrated and people are desperate to find a way forward in the just over two weeks that we've got to resolve this issue.”

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