Conservative rebel Sarah Wollaston warns of 'Blukip' activists in her own party amid speculation over Tory defections to 'Independent Group'

Pro-EU Tory Sarah Wollaston has warned "Blukip" activists in her own party risk alienating moderate voters amid speculation over possible defections to a new group of independent MPs.

Dr Wollaston warned "there will be nothing left at all to appeal to moderate centre ground voters", as she accused her party of shifting towards a hardline stance on Brexit.

The Conservative rebel is reportedly facing a deselection vote from her local association after defying the government to support a final say referendum.

It comes after seven Labour MPs dramatically resigned on Monday in protest at Jeremy Corbyn's handling of Brexit and complaints of antisemitism in the party.

Prominent Corbyn critics such as Luciana Berger and Chuka Umunna were among those who broke away from Labour to form the Independent Group (TIG), in the biggest split in British politics for a generation.

Dr Wollaston's comments are likely to heighten speculation that she might join the new group, as she has defied the Tory whip before to rebel on key Brexit votes.

Another prominent Tory rebel, Anna Soubry, sparked rumours she could be about to jump ship when she removed the Conservative Party slogan from her Twitter profile.

Other names in the frame include backbencher Heidi Allen, who is a vocal critic of universal credit, and ex-Tory minister Nick Boles, who championed efforts to take a no-deal Brexit off the table. None of the MPs have commented on their intentions.

Meanwhile, Mr Corbyn was warned he could face more resignations unless he gets to grips with antisemitism complaints, in a stormy meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday night.

Labour sources said party chairman Ian Lavery stressed the leadership's commitment to rooting out antisemitism at what was described as a "heated" behind-closed-doors gathering.

But his claims were greeted with derision by some of those present with accusations that he failed to understand the "enormity" of the problem.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell sought to strike a conciliatory tone on Tuesday morning, telling Sky News: "We need a mammoth, massive listening exercise and (to) address some of those criticisms that have been made."

He played down suggestions that as many as 36 Labour MPs had been considering leaving the party.

"I don't think there is that scale, but the key issue for us - and it was made clear at the PLP, Tom Watson said it and others - the Labour leadership, and I'm part of that, we need to keep listening, bring people in, talk to them," he said.

Mr McDonnell said the "only disagreement we have had within the party is around how we handle Brexit and I think we are bringing people together on that."