Ex-Tory chief whip plays down PM 'dead in water' remarks

A former Tory Cabinet minister has sought to play down reports that he believes Theresa May has "lost her authority" and is "dead in the water".

Former chief whip Andrew Mitchell is claimed to have made the comments at a private dinner on 26 June, the day Mrs May struck a deal with the DUP to prop up her minority government.

A Conservative MP present at the gathering told the Mail on Sunday: "Mr Mitchell effectively said she was dead in the water. He said she was weak, had lost her authority, couldn't go on and we needed a new leader. Some of us were very surprised and disagreed with him."

But Mr Mitchell denied the report to an extent.

He told Sky News: "This is an overheated report of a private dinner conversation."

When asked whether Mrs May should resign, he did not answer the question.

A former Tory Cabinet minister has sought to play down reports that he believes Theresa May has "lost her authority" and is "dead in the water".

Former chief whip Andrew Mitchell is claimed to have made the comments at a private dinner on 26 June, the day Mrs May struck a deal with the DUP to prop up her minority government.

A Conservative MP present at the gathering told the Mail on Sunday: "Mr Mitchell effectively said she was dead in the water. He said she was weak, had lost her authority, couldn't go on and we needed a new leader. Some of us were very surprised and disagreed with him."

But Mr Mitchell denied the report to an extent.

He told Sky News: "This is an overheated report of a private dinner conversation."

When asked whether Mrs May should resign, he did not answer the question.

(SKY NEWS)