Theresa May praises husband Philip as her 'rock' after tough week following Brexit deal

It’s the little things that count and it seems like they may have helped get Theresa May through one of the toughest weeks of her political career to date.

According to the Prime Minister, husband Philip poured her a whisky following her epic five-hour Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, then served up beans on toast for tea the following day as she faced questions over her future as Tory leader.

While many speculated that the week would see Mrs May ousted as PM, Friday saw her survive a week of challenges including resignations, threats of a coup and attacks over her Brexit deal.

And in an interview with the Daily Mail, she praised husband Philip as a “rock” who had provided her with much-needed moral support.

After she returned to the Downing Street flat following Wednesday’s five-hour Cabinet meeting, the first thing he did was to pour her a whisky, the PM told the newspaper.

“On Thursday, he served up beans on toast for tea,” she said. “I opened the tin! He made the toast – and did the washing up!”

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Mrs May admitted that it is difficult for her husband to watch her come under fire, saying: “It’s often harder for the other half because they are watching it and feel protective and think ‘Why are they saying that to my wife?’.”

She added: “He is my rock. It’s hugely important to have somebody there who is supportive of you, not involved in the intricacies of politics but there to provide human support”, adding that it is her husband of 38 years who urges her to keep going and to “keep doing the right thing”.

Mrs May’s Brexit deal saw the resignations of Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey and the launch of an insurrection on the back benches.

The Prime Minister’s critics reportedly believe they have the numbers required to trigger a confidence vote within days, but the Prime Minister appeared to secure the support of key players including Michael Gove – who many had speculated would also resign – and Amber Rudd, who returned to Government as the new Work and Pensions Secretary in Friday’s Cabinet reshuffle.

Ms Rudd pleaded with Tory rebels to back the Prime Minister and her Brexit deal, saying: “This is not a time for changing our leader.”

Mrs May appointed Stephen Barclay as her new Brexit Secretary – the third this year – but the role will be limited to the domestic delivery of EU withdrawal while the Prime Minister will take sole control of negotiations on EU withdrawal.