Leading members of the European Research Group criticised an article written by the Prime Minister today in which she promises to ‘battle for Britain’ in Brussels. 

Mrs May is expected to return to Brussels this week to reopen talks on the Irish border backstop component of the divorce deal.  Her renegotiation comes after she won a Commons vote on Tuesday backing changes to the backstop. 

But rumours re-appeared today she would get no more than a legal ‘codicil’ – an extra document attached to the deal explaining why the backstop would be temporary – and not a full re-write of the protocol. 

Steve Baker, the deputy chairman of the Brexiteer ERG, warned Mrs May this would not be enough and suggested she was ‘co-opting’ his members without permission. 

As well as a full re-write of the backstop, the ERG is also unhappy with the £39billion divorce bill Britain has promised to pay.

Signally the renewed revolt today, Mr Baker said:  ‘Trouble ahead. Leave-backing MPs voted to support alternative arrangements in NI but with grave misgivings about the whole agreement.

‘Now the PM co-opts us into accepting everything but the backstop and, on the backstop, accepting a codicil.’ 

Brexiteer MP Andrea Jenkyns added: ‘No Prime Minister, we said we would support the amendment to send a message to EU re the Backstop.

‘We all said there are other issues with Withdrawal Agreement. Britain deserves a better deal.’ 

Tory Simon Clarke added: ‘I have huge admiration for Nicky Morgan for her key role in delivering the Malthouse Compromise – a challenge for both Remainers and Leavers but a way forward for us all.

‘If the Withdrawal Agreement is to pass, this is how – not talk of codicils etc.’ 

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EU Council President Donald Tusk suggested if MPs cannot agree a deal and don’t want to crash out without one, they should consider reversing the historic vote.

While EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned that ‘time is almost up’ as he announced no deal planning will be ramped up in the wake of the defeat.

He made a dash back to Brussels for emergency Brexit meetings as the deal was voted down by 432 votes to 202 – meaning a staggering 230 MPs voted against her. 

Mr Tusk said: ‘If a deal is impossible, and no one wants no deal, then who will finally have the courage to say what the only positive solution is?’  

Mr Juncker said: ‘The risk of a disorderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom has increased with this evening’s vote. 

‘While we do not want this to happen, the European Commission will continue its contingency work to help ensure the EU is fully prepared.

‘I urge the United Kingdom to clarify its intentions as soon as possible. Time is almost up.’ 

While Guy Verhoftstadt, the European Parliament’s Brexit chief, accused British of MPs of not nowing what they want.

He tweeted: ‘The UK Parliament has said what it doesn’t want. Now is the time to find out what UK parliamentarians want. 

‘In the meantime, the rights of citizens must be safeguarded.’ 

The PM’s official spokesman said there are ‘no plans’ for her to meet with Mr Juncker tomorrow.

But she is under huge pressure from all sides to head back to the negotiating table in Brussels to tear up the hated Irish backstop. 

MEPs in the European Parliament will debate the state of the Brexit deal tomorrow morning.

It comes as Germany promised to launch a fresh round of Brexit talks.

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