Pressure on May to gain concessions over border backstop
The former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says the Prime Minister is fighting to scrap the controversial backstop.
Theresa May is under renewed pressure from Brexiteers to secure fresh concessions on the Northern Irish backstop as Dublin warned there was no room for manoeuvre on the issue.
As the Prime Minister faces another Commons showdown over her EU withdrawal agenda on Tuesday, Downing Street was battling to keep control of the Brexit timetable.
In a pointed intervention, arch-Brexiteer Boris Johnson insisted he had it from "senior sources'' the PM was planning to go to Brussels to renegotiate the backstop and win a "freedom clause''.
However, Ireland's deputy prime minister Simon Coveney insisted there would be no changes to the Withdrawal Agreement which states the UK will obey EU customs rules if no wider deal has been struck after a transition period.
Mr Coveney said the backstop was crucial in preventing a hard border.
He told the Press Association: "Peace and the Good Friday Agreement are more important than Brexit.
"Even in a no-deal Brexit situation every party and every MP in the UK will have a responsibility to ensure there is no return to a hard border and Northern Ireland is protected.
"That won't be easy and those who misrepresent the backstop don't have an alternative to it.''
Mr Coveney's comments were seen as a swipe at Tory Brexiteers hoping to use Commons amendments on Tuesday to try and force a change in direction on the backstop.
Attention is focusing on an amendment by Tory grandee Sir Graham Brady which calls for the removal of the backstop and "alternative arrangements'' to be put in its place.
Brexiteers say if the non-binding amendment is passed it will give the PM more leeway to win concessions from the EU.
Sir Graham, who is chairman of the highly influential 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs, told the BBC: "My amendment is an attempt to bring the kind of compromise forward that can actually attract the support of a majority of the House of Commons.
"I hope it will on Tuesday, and demonstrate in terms to the EU that there is a way forward.''
Meanwhile, pro-Europe amendments pose a threat to Mrs May's grip on Brexit.
The Government is thought to be particularly concerned about a cross-party backed amendment put forward by Labour's Yvette Cooper which is aimed at stopping a no-deal exit and paving the way for keeping the UK in the EU until the end of the year.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the PM is seeking to see off the threat of a Tory rebellion, and the possibility of ministerial resignations, by considering whether to hold a "meaningful vote'' on Brexit within the next fortnight.
A dozen pro-European ministers including Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd and Justice Secretary David Gauke held a conference call in which they agreed such a move would help defer a potential rebellion, according to the newspaper.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Johnson called on the PM publicly to confirm a "change of heart'' on the withdrawal deal.
He said: said: "That backstop is dead, rejected by the biggest ever parliamentary majority; and that is why I hope and pray that I am right about the intentions of Number 10.
"If we mean it, if we really try, I have no doubt that the EU will give us the Freedom Clause we need.
"And if the PM secures that change - a proper UK-sized perforation in the fabric of the backstop itself - I have no doubt that she will have the whole country full-throatedly behind her.''
Meanwhile representatives from Northern Ireland's business, farming, trade union, community and voluntary sectors are travelling to London to urge political party leaders to avoid a no-deal Brexit.
Twenty representatives will speak directly to the leaders of Labour, Liberal Democrats and the SNP in a bid to stress the need for Westminster to "unite and protect'' Northern Ireland's jobs, consumers and economy.
The group has also invited Northern Ireland's 18 MPs to meet them.
They say the need for a Brexit deal is critical to avoid the UK crashing out of the EU in 60 days.
A spokesman said the Northern Ireland business community stands firm that a no-deal outcome would be "an unmitigated disaster'' for the economy and society.
Glyn Roberts, chief executive of Retail NI, said: "It is not acceptable for Parliament to continue to create uncertainty.
"This is having consequences as is apparent in our businesses and in our high streets.
"The actions of parliamentarians from across the House (of Commons) is not acceptable and I will be pleading with the leadership of the opposition parties that they need to reach across the chamber and avoid a calamitous crashing out of the EU which will have dire impact on consumers and jobs.''
Stephen Kelly, chief executive of Manufacturing NI, said: "While Parliament tries to make up its mind, businesses are facing real-life challenges and making decisions.
"They are fighting to maintain competitiveness and customers so they can pay wages this Friday and every Friday up to and after March 29, the day the UK wishes to leave the EU.
"Our business community, farming representatives, trade unions and voluntary sectors agree that the Withdrawal Agreement, whilst not perfect, is workable and much better than no deal, and its approval would secure the critical transition period, protect jobs and allow everyone to move to the more positive future relationship negotiations and agreement with the EU.''
Owen Reidy, assistant general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, said: "The trade union movement represents over 200,000 workers across all areas of economic activity in Northern Ireland.
"We must have an agreement that safeguards jobs and workers rights' and avoids a hard border in the island of Ireland, a border in the Irish Sea and a border between our islands.
"Workers cannot pay the price of Brexit.''
Seamus McAleavey, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, said: "NICVA and the Northern Ireland community and voluntary sector believe that a no-deal Brexit would be a disaster for Northern Ireland society, threatening our stability, prosperity and well-being, and that it is therefore vital that Parliament reaches agreement to avoid this outcome."