More than 30 Tory MPs could vote against no-deal Brexit

It comes as Labour hinted it would move towards moving a no-confidence motion in the Government if it looked likely a no-deal exit was going to happen.

Speaking on Sky News, the former education minister said there are a "significant number" of Tory MPs who are looking at legislative options to block a no-deal Brexit.

He added: "I think it is about 30, 30-plus. But what they will be looking to do is stop a new prime minister from proroguing Parliament in order to deliver no deal but also create options for the new prime minister so that no deal is not the only option we face on October 31."

Later, Gymiah ruled out voting against the Government in a confidence motion.

He said: "I have been very explicit about that. That is not something I intend to do.

"I think it is the nuclear option. I don't want to go there. I know there are some who are considering it."

Labour's shadow international development secretary Barry Gardiner earlier told Sky News that the party will call a no-confidence motion when it looked likely it will pass, but said conversations were ongoing.

He added: "We will call a no-confidence vote when we believe that those Conservative Members of Parliament who have said they would support a no-confidence motion in the Government in order to stop a no-deal are likely to support it."

Pressed on whether it could happen in the autumn, the Labour frontbencher said: "I don't know because I can't read the minds of those Conservative MPs who have said they are prepared to do this."

Gymiah said Tory MPs are looking at "a number of legislative mechanisms" were being looked at to prevent a no-deal exit.

He said: "I wouldn't want to announce them before they have been tested as being viable.

"But there is a real concern. The real concern here is not about leavers or remainers.

"The real concern here is that this is not in the interest of our country."

He added: "What all this is about is staving off economic mayhem.

"We will be hurting the economy. I think that is something most people are concerned about."

Another former candidate for the Tory leadership, Dominic Raab, told Ridge On Sunday that he did not think the Conservatives needed to do any deals with the Brexit Party.

The former Brexit Secretary said: "I don't think we should be looking to do deals.

"I think what we should be looking to do is deliver Brexit and keep our promises.

"People talk about all these deal-making things and some people say with the Liberal Democrats, some people say with Farage and all the rest of it."

He added: "I think the number one thing people expect is for us to keep our promises. If we keep our promises on Brexit I don't think we're going to have a problem with the Brexit Party or Nigel Farge."