Kent MP Tom Tugendhat says Theresa May would have to step aside if she fails to get the Brexit deal through Parliament.

And he has warned there was a real possibility that the UK's departure from the EU could yet be on the basis of “no deal.”

His comments were made in an interview on KMTV’s “Paul On Politics” in which the Tonbridge and Malling MP said he could not envisage Theresa May being able to stay on if the deal to exit the EU was not backed by MPs.

“There is a simple fact here: this is such an important piece of legislation, I cannot see how the government could continue having lost. That would trigger the end of the government but I don't think that means you would need a general election. But she would be gone.”

On the deal itself, he said there would have to be compromises on both sides if was to succeed.

“It is going to be a challenge; it is very far from being a done deal. We cannot ignore the fact that there is a possibility that it doesn't work and we have got to be ready for that.”

“We are leaving the European Union on March 29. That is clear: what the Chequers agreement is doing is putting the ball in the European Union’s court.”

On the chances of pulling together the different factions within his own party and others at the same time as persuading EU member states to sign up, he said:

“It is a big ask...this is going to be a really tough negotiation. The truth is that trying to reach a compromise is the nature of democratic politics There isn't such a thing as an absolute in democratic politics - it is always about compromise.”

“What the Prime Minister has put forward is reasonable; it is not perfect; it is not what I would have gone for. What we are looking at is a future trade deal which will work with some but not others.”

He deflected questions about the possibility that he could put his name forward in a future leadership contest if Theresa May stood down.

The MP is seen as a rising talent in the party and has been tipped as a possible future leader.

“It is a bit early for that - there are plenty of good candidates on the Conservative benches.”

“There's a lot of talent in the party and there is a lot of experience, let's not knock it. There is a lot of people in the party who have spoken for the kind of politics that I am in favour of - an open Britain; a modern Britain which is positive about the opportunities for people.”

He reiterated his opposition to using the M26 to stack lorries in the event of a post-Brexit gridlock caused by delays at the channel ports.

“The impact of using the M26 as a lorry park on the surrounding community would be awful. Places like Wrotham would be cut off. You can only imagine the amount of fly parking that would cause and the knock on effect for cross county traffic and business would be awful.”