The Prime Minister is facing increased pressure to delay Tuesday's crunch vote as a 'swarm' of ministers join those opposing her Brexit deal. It is widely expected Mrs May will lose in the Commons and there are concerns the magnitude of her defeat could bring down the Government. More than 100 Conservative MPs have already publicly criticised her deal.

However, in a desperate attempt to maintain her grip on power, the Prime Minister phoned the European Council president Donald Tusk on Sunday to explain MPs will kill off the deal unless Brussels offers her a lifeline.

Senior Conservatives have warned Mrs May will be ousted from No10 unless she agrees to drop the controversial Irish backstop.

Senior Whitehall sources said Mr Tusk was “sympathetic” to Mrs May and is also desperate for the deal to work.

An Irish government spokesman said: "They discussed the current situation on Brexit, including the planned vote in Westminster on Tuesday.

"They also discussed preparation for this week's European Council and looked forward to seeing each other in Brussels on Thursday."

It is not yet clear whether the Prime Minister will delay Tuesday's crunch vote.

Whitehall sources say she told senior aides that she will decide what to do on her return on Monday.

However, one Cabinet minister predicted she will most certainly delay the vote for a week.

The minister told The Sun: “She will do what she always does and take the path of least resistance, even if all it does is delay her execution by a few days”.