Brexit: Glimmer of hope for Boris Johnson's deal as ex-cabinet minister Amber Rudd says she will back it

Boris Johnson's chances of securing parliamentary approval for his Brexit deal were boosted after ex-cabinet minister Amber Rudd said she will vote for it and expects most of the Tories expelled from the party over a previous Brexit rebellion to do the same.

The former home secretary, who walked out of government and quit the Conservative whip in protest at the mass expulsion of 21 colleagues, said she believed Mr Johnson's deal will now get through parliament in the coming days, though she acknowledged the coalition behind it was "very fragile".

Her announcement marks a significant gain for the PM, who will need the votes of the bulk of the ex-Tory independent group to get a majority for the withdrawal agreement sealed with EU leaders last Thursday.

Despite backing Oliver Letwin's amendment withholding parliamentary approval on Saturday, Ms Rudd told Sky News's Sophy Ridge on Sunday that she would have backed the deal itself if it had been pushed to a vote.

She said Mr Johnson's package was not as good as the deal struck by his predecessor Theresa May, which she also supported.

"I support the prime minister's deal and I have told him 'I will support you next week'," said Ms Rudd.

"I want to support it and I will and I think, not all of us but most of the former Conservatives who supported the Letwin amendment will do so as well."

Read more

Johnson sends EU unsigned letter seeking Brexit delay

More than 100,000 sign letter demanding Final Say on Brexit

What does today’s vote say about the numbers for the Brexit deal?

Senior figures break with Corbyn to declare Labour a Remain party