Rebel Tory meeting of 50 MPs to discuss ousting Theresa May dismissed as 'loose talk' by Michael Gove

Anti-Brexit MPs openly debate how to topple their own leader – saying 'she’s a disaster' and 'this can’t go on'

Open plotting by up to 50 Tory MPs who discussed how to topple Theresa May has been dismissed as “loose talk” by leading Brexiteer Michael Gove.

The environment secretary rejected any immediate threat to the prime minister’s position, insisting Conservative MPs should throw their weight behind her plan to deliver EU withdrawal next March.

“I think this is loose talk – you always have loose talk,” said Mr Gove, who backed the Chequers plan when other ministers resigned in the summer.

The threat was dismissed despite the open revolt at a 50-strong meeting of the anti-Brexit European Research Group (ERG), in a parliamentary committee room.

Dozens of MPs were said to have openly debated how to topple their own leader – with comments that “she’s a disaster” and “this can’t go on” made, in front of witnesses.

The discussion is believed to have centred around the timing of triggering a vote of no confidence in the prime minister, which requires the support of 48 Tory MPs.

However, only around 35 names have been submitted to Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 backbench committee – still well short of the threshold to trigger the contest.

Asked about the threat, Mr Gove told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “There are always people who want to write stories about leadership speculation.”

Mr Gove also rejected suggestions that it would be better for Ms May to tackle the leadership threat head-on, saying: “The critical thing is to ensure that we deliver on that Brexit mandate.

“Any diversion or any distraction from that mission means that our ability to ensure that the referendum mandate that we were given is delivered, is undermined.”

He twice refused to say he would serve under Boris Johnson – while insisting he had “the highest regard for him” – saying: “At the moment, the prime minister is Theresa May.”

Despite the rebellion, it still appears unlikely that the ERG can muster the numbers to bring down the prime minister, even if they can secure 48 letters to trigger the contest.

Ms May – at least at present – can be expected to win comfortably if all 315 Conservative MPs are given a chance to cast their vote.

Crucially, if there is a vote of no confidence and she wins it, there could be no further contest for another year, part of the reason her opponents have pulled back so far.

The ERG is far more confident of winning the so-called “meaningful vote” this winter, on the Brexit agreement if one can be reached – a crushing defeat which could force her out of No 10.

Steve Baker, the former Brexit minister, has claimed 80-plus Brexiteer Tories are ready to vote the deal down, although the Tory whips insist the number is significantly lower.

Splits are appearing in the ERG over how strongly to oppose the Chequers plan - forcing the group to pull back from publishing its own promised Brexit blueprint.