Another MP in the county has nailed her colours to the mast backing the Prime Minister over her Brexit deal - but has admitted it is not perfect.

Maidstone and the Weald MP Helen Grant, who is vice-chairman of the Conservative party with responsibility for communities, described the agreement as a "positive compromise".

Her support comes as the Prime Minister faces a growing challenge to her leadership, with around 20 MPs submitting letters to the chairman of the 1922 committee Graham Brady requesting a vote of no confidence.

Among them is the Gravesham MP Adam Holloway, who said that the government needed new leadership.

Mrs Grant said: “The Draft Withdrawal Agreement represents a positive compromise.

"It delivers on the referendum result and allows for the frictionless trade with Europe which our businesses need.

"There is still of course the final trading agreement to be negotiated which will contain further detail on the nature of our future relationship with the EU.

"The agreement is not perfect, but perfect was never on the table in such a complex negotiation. Furthermore, I don’t see any practical or workable alternative on offer.”

Theresa May has been bolstered by Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, who was thought to be considering resigning but has announced that he is to stay in the cabinet.

However, there has been widespread speculation more MPs could submit letters of no confidence in the coming days.

How would a vote of no confidence work?

A vote can only happen if 15% of MPs write to the current chair of the party’s governing 1922 committee, Graham Brady. There are 316 Conservative MPs meaning 48 need to send letters.

Assuming the Prime Minister decides to contest the no-confidence vote, there would be a ballot of all Tory MPs and Mrs May would need the support of at least half - 159 - to stay in the job.

The hardline Brexit MPs would not have enough votes on their own to get to that number and would have to rely on other MPs to get to the number required.