Halstead's MP admits it is possible the government will lose next week’s crucial vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal.

MP’s will finally get the chance to vote on the Prime Minister’s proposals to leave the EU on Tuesday, more than a month after the initial vote was deferred.

Brexiteer James Cleverly says he remains fully supportive of the deal put forward by Mrs May, but does concede the Government may not win the crucial Parliamentary vote next week.

He said: “My position hasn’t changed over the Christmas period.

“I completely understand the concerns about the withdrawal agreement and the backstop but for me, this deal delivers on what I campaigned for which was to leave the European Union.

“I am concerned there are MP’s in the House of Commons who are willing to vote this deal down because they think it will block Brexit.

“But I also think there are some people who really understand that voting down this deal could well lead to a no deal.

“It’s hard to tell if people have changed their minds and I think you have to be grown up and realistic about this. It is quite possible we don’t win this the first time it goes through Parliament.

“At the end of the day it is essential we deliver on the instructions of the referendum which was to leave the EU.”