Dominic Raab becomes latest Brexiter to pledge support for Theresa May’s Brexit deal
Former Brexit minister Dominic Raab is prepared to back Theresa May’s Brexit deal, he told the Commons today.
Raab, who resigned as Brexit minister over the deal, is now set to vote for it later today.
Read more: Brexit vote live: EU says passing withdrawal agreement sufficient
He said: "We potentially face an even worse alternative that could reverse Brexit and betray our democracy."
He said he appreciated the concerns of those opposed to the Irish backstop, but said: "In all of this, however frustrating, I believe we need to proceed with some realism."
He follows fellow Brexiters Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg in coming round to the deal late in the day.
May said she will resign as Prime Minister if her deal is passed, opening up the prospect of a leadership contest for the top job.
Read more: Parliament will vote down May's Brexit deal, says Raab
The pound rose today as the prospect of May’s deal passing parliament this afternoon increased.
Sterling grew 0.4 per cent against the dollar to $1.3099 as The Sun's political editor, Tom Newton Dunn, tweeted that support appears to be rising for May.
Other Brexit bigwigs who have backed May's deal today include Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Betting platform Sporting Index still predicts 320 MPs will oppose the Brexit deal at the third time of asking, compared to 260 in favour.
Ed Fulton, political trading spokesman for Sporting Index, said: “While there have been key amends made to Theresa May’s Brexit deal this time around, we don’t envisage there being enough movement for the next motion to pass in parliament.
“Opposition from inside the Tory party, as well as Labour and most crucially the DUP, means that the PM is likely to be frustrated for a third time – and we predict 320 MPs will reject this round of the breakaway motion.”