Kent MP Damian Collins has become the latest MP in the county to say he cannot support Theresa May’s Brexit deal as it stands.

The Folkestone and Hythe MP said that he was unhappy around certain aspects of the proposal but did not want to see a change in leadership.

He said his concerns were related to the fact that the UK would be dependent on the EU when it came to issues around the customs union and the period of transition.

“I cannot support the deal in its present form. There are a lot of different concerns but for me the most important one is around the end of the transitional period - we should not have a timetable where we rely on other people,” he said.

However, he said he did not support those calling for a change in leadership saying it would be destabilising for the country.

Until now, Mr Collins - who backed staying in the EU - has voted with the government in support of delivering Brexit at every vote in the Commons since the referendum.

The transition period is due to end on the last day of December 2020 but the draft agreement leaves the option of it being extended - if a trade deal isn't sorted out.

Meanwhile, Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson, a long-standing supporter of Brexit has admitted he was wrong to assume leaving the EU would be simple.

He said he remains undecided about whether to back Theresa May's deal.

But he said he would not be among those who are demanding a vote of confidence in Theresa May.

In a post on his Facebook page, he writes:

“We have been members of the EU for over 40 years and it will not be a simple matter to extricate ourselves from organisations and procedures with which the UK is intertwined.”

“I admit that I used to think it would be simple. I was wrong and those who tell you otherwise are lying to you. Leaving the EU is complicated.”

And he criticises those MPs who have stated their position without reading the full 585-page document:

“I suspect that many of my colleagues, who appear to have already made up their minds, have not actually read the document. I think that is a dereliction of duty. This is too important a decision to not at least read the proposal properly, rather than rely on what are often biased interpretations of the document.”

He says he is likely to oppose the deal but would not decide until he had read it: “I am minded to vote against the proposal, but I am determined to keep an open mind until I have weighed up all the options.”

Of the county’s MPs who have declared where they stand, opinion is divided.

Last week, Gravesham MP Adam Holloway declared that he was among those who had decided to write to ask for a vote of no confidence in Theresa May.

He is thought to be the only Kent MP to have done so.

South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay, a member of the European Research Group, said he opposed the deal but would not be drawn on whether he had, or intended to, write asking for a vote of no confidence, saying it was a private matter.

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Where do Kent MPs stand on the Brexit deal to date?

Supporters:

Ashford MP Damian Green

Faversham and Mid Kent Helen Whately

Maidstone MP Helen Grant

Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark

North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale

Opposed:

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke

Gravesham MP Alan Holloway

Gillingham MP Rehman Chishti

Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins

South Thanet MP Cr