Brexit latest: Theresa May 'threatened Tory rebels with an election' over customs vote

Theresa May threatened Tory rebels with a general election if they voted to keep Britain in the customs union after Brexit, reports say.

Conservative whips issued the warning to a group of anti-Brexit MPs, led by Stephen Hammond and Nicky Morgan, moments before they cast crucial votes in the Commons last night, the Times reported.

Mrs May scraped a win by a margin of just six votes, as the Commons rejected the key amendment by 307-301.

One pro-Remain supporter revealed deputy chief whip Chris Pincher told rebels they would be “responsible for putting Jeremy Corbyn in Number 10” if they voted against the amendment.

They told the Times he also threatened to pull the third reading of the trade bill in favour of a vote of no confidence.

Rebels branded the whips’ behaviour as “appalling" and “horrible”, according to the newspaper.

Today, chief whip Julian Smith apologised after breaking a pact with a senior opposition MP who was unable to vote due to maternity leave.

Tory chairman Brandon Lewis was "paired" with Liberal Democrat deputy leader Jo Swinson, meaning neither would take part in the Commons votes.

But the Conservative MP then took part in two crunch Commons votes night and helped the Prime Minister emerge victorious.

Chief Whip Julian Smith apologised and said Mr Lewis has been "asked to vote in error".

Mr Lewis said it was an "honest mistake" made by the whips in "fast-moving circumstances".

But Ms Swinson said it was "neither honest, nor a mistake" and the Government's response was "not credible".

Mrs May will today face a grilling by MPs about her plans for leaving the European Union.

Pressure is set to mount on the leader during a potentially difficult session of Prime Minister's Questions and an appearance in front of the Liaison Committee of senior MPs.