Parliament's summer holiday could be extended 'to stop MPs plotting coup against Theresa May'

MPs could have their summer holiday extended to three months under reported Conservative plans to stifle rebellion against Theresa May.

Parliament would rise sooner than the planned date of 20 July, while the September sitting would be scrapped, resulting in a summer break of as long as 12 weeks, according to the proposals.

The longer holiday was designed to reduce opportunities for disgruntled Tories to plot to oust their leader, The Sunday Times reported.

Scheduled to take place from 5 to 14 September this year, the week-long September sitting was introduced as a permanent feature in the Parliamentary calendar after complaints MPs spent too much time away.

But now the measure could be axed, risking a public backlash.

The longer holiday would ease protests from Conservative MPs, who had been told to spend more time in Westminster after the party lost its majority in the House of Commons.

Parliamentary arithmetic means the Tories are expected to rely on the 10 Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MPs to vote legislation through.

DUP leader Arlene Foster told The Belfast Telegraph on Monday her party was close to striking a historic "confidence and supply" deal with the Conservatives.

The Tories are seeking to finalise the agreement ahead of a crucial vote on the Queen's Speech on Wednesday.