The Prime Minister returned from the Salzburg summit last week licking her wounds after the EU immediately struck down her plans for a soft Brexit.

Despite claims she would be confronted with a demand to switch to a Canada-style free trade deal approach at a Cabionter meeting yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister’s colleagues have rallied around her - at least for now.

According to The Sun, one Cabinet minister said: “There was a feeling that the PM did well on Friday with her No.10 statement on Brexit, and she has earned some breathing space.

“But we are left with the fact that the EU has said no to Chequers, and that is a problem that is not going to go away.

“So we will have to move on from Chequers if there is no movement from Barnier in two weeks.”

At the weekly Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister gave her update on her disastrous meeting with the EU, where she was told her plan was “unworkable”.

However, with Tory Party Conference this weekend, those around Ms May have no desire to “throw the PM under the bus”, Cabinet sources said.

Her ultimatum will be delayed until after the party conference, at the Cabinet meeting in two weeks time.

Ms May did not address the Salzburg summit until the end of the two-hour meeting, which was already overrunning, and told Ministers a “critical point” was approaching in the negotiations.

The Tory leader added: “Now is the time to hold our nerve.”

Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab was supportive of the Prime Minister and said it was a “good, healthy discussion”.

He added: “The Prime Minister made clear we are going to keep out calm and press the EU on some of the criticisms they have made.