Tory plotters' bid to get rid of May collapses as MPs decide 'keeping Theresa ...

Theresa May stay of execution is being seized on by enemies of Boris Johnson - but his supporters claim Tory MPs have 'bottled it', it was revealed today.

The Prime Minister has been given some breathing space after senior Tories rejected plans that could have seen her forced from office within weeks.

In a significant setback for Mrs May's Brexiteer critics, the ruling executive of the 1922 Committee of MPs blocked a bid to change the leadership rules to allow a fresh vote of confidence in her. 

Rumours are now growing that Mrs May could bring back her deal next week - if passed she would then quit. 

One 1922 committee member told The Sun:  'Getting rid of Theresa before Brexit is done means getting Boris, Boris would mean No Deal, and No Deal would mean a general election. And that would be the end of Brexit altogether'.

Theresa May, pictured in Belfast yesterday, is safe from a Conservative leadership challenge until December after backbenchers rejected a change to party rules

Boris Johnson is favourite to replace Mrs May

Theresa May, pictured in Belfast yesterday, is safe from a Conservative leadership challenge until December after backbenchers rejected a change to party rules - with some saying it is good news because it will 'stop Boris'

The chair of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady, said last night it would be 'a surprising response' if Mrs May suggested she might stay on as late as December this year - but the backbenchers rejected a rule change to force her out early.

Sources on the 1922 committee said the plan, which was championed by Eurosceptics furious at her failure to deliver Brexit, was narrowly defeated by nine votes to seven.

Instead, the committee agreed to ask the Prime Minister to set out a 'timetable' for her departure. No10 last night gave no indication of when Mrs May would respond – or if she would agree to name a date for departure.

One senior Brexiteer said the committee had 'bottled it'. 

Theresa May's popularity among Tory members hit rock bottom today as she was warned she could face a fresh leadership challenge within weeks unless she sets out a timetable for her departure.

The Prime Minister's approval rating has dropped by more than 20 points in a month to minus-73.5. She is now the least popular member of the cabinet, after overtaking previous incumbent Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, who is on 71.1 points.

Brexiteer Andrea Leadsom is the most popular - on plus-40.6 - followed by Liz Truss, Jeremy Hunt and Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, who also has a seat at Mrs May's ministerial table, a poll of Tory supporters by ConservativeHome has revealed. 

But Boris Johnson is streets ahead in the race to replace Theresa May as Tory leader and has an 18 point lead over his nearest rival Dominic Raab - and would also win in head to heads

Another survey on the influential Conservative Home website shows 33 per cent of people want Mr Johnson to take over as party chief.

Sir Graham Brady (pictured left), chairman of the 1922 Committee, said the backbench group had rejected a rule change but demanded a 'roadmap forward' on the PM's future

Sir Graham Brady (pictured left), chairman of the 1922 Committee, said the backbench group had rejected a rule change but demanded a 'roadmap forward' on the PM's future 

He enjoys twice the support of his nearest rival Dominic Raab on 15 per cent, followed by Michael Gove on eight per cent, Jeremy Hunt on six per cent and Sajid Javid on five per cent.

The poll, published today, shows Jacob Rees-Mogg, David Davis, Matt Hancock, Esther McVey and Penny Mordaunt on just two per cent.

ConHome chief Paul Goodman said: 'Boris' resignation catapulted him to the front of the queue as the main Conservative opponent of Theresa May’s EU policy. And the worse she does, the more he thrives.

'The postponement of Brexit, the talks with Jeremy Corbyn, the return of Nigel Farage, the looming European

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