RUMOURS of a nascent Tory revolt against Theresa May have hit fever pitch after multiple papers reported this week that the number of MPs needed for a leadership challenge, 48, has nearly been reached.

Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, has been forced to ask colleagues to not request a formal challenge.

Backbencher Mark Pritchard, who previously advocated sacking ministers disloyal to Ms May, warned of “growing frustration that Number 10 is not plugged into the views of backbenchers or even interested.”