Cabinet ministers have urged Theresa May to postpone next week’s Brexit vote amid fears she faces a defeat that could bring down the Government.
Gavin Williamson, Amber Rudd, Sajid Javid and Alun Cairns are among ministers believed to be trying to persuade Mrs May to delay the vote scheduled for December 11.
It comes as the Prime Minister was issued a stark warning from the DUP, saying that her premiership could be ended if she ploughs ahead with the proposals.
The party, which props up Mrs May's administration, made clear it would not support the Government in a confidence motion if her deal survives the upcoming vote.
It is the likelihood of defeat, and the further damage that will do to Mrs May's fragile authority, that has led to some Cabinet ministers suggesting the vote should be postponed, The Times reported.
The entrenched opposition faced by Mrs May on her own benches was made clear at a European Research Group (ERG) meeting in the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday.
The group's chairman Jacob Rees-Mogg told the private meeting: "The DUP will support the Government in a confidence motion if the Withdrawal Agreement is voted down.
"But the risk of losing them and having an election is if the Withdrawal Agreement goes through."
Debate on the Brexit agreement will continue in the Commons on Thursday as the Prime Minister battles increasing pressure to give in to calls for renegotiation.
Labour has indicated it will table a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister in the wake of a defeat on such a pivotal issue for Mrs May.
Despite reports the DUP could withdraw support for Mrs May's deal, the party's Westminster leader Nigel Dodds said it would be "illogical" for his party to turn on the Tories if it had already seen off the Brexit deal.
One potential measure reportedly being floated as a way to win over would-be rebels is a "parliamentary lock" which would give MPs a vote before the Northern Irish backstop is implemented.
But a senior Eurosceptic said the ERG had "seen no text for any amendment" other than those which had already been put down.
And Mr Dodds dismissed the "parliamentary lock", pointing out that "it doesn't have any effect" on the Withdrawal Agreement thrashed out with Brussels which contains the contentious measure.
On ITV's Peston, Mr Dodds said there would be "implications" for the Prime Minister if she pressed ahead with the deal.
"That's the risk that the Prime Minister is running," he said.
On BBC's Newsnight, Mr Dodds added: "I don't think a general election at this stage is in the interests of the country. I don't think a second referendum is either.
"I think Parliament has been given its instructions by the people of the UK as a whole to get on with Brexit."
He said that nobody wanted a no-deal Brexit but time had been wasted by the Prime Minister "going down a path that she must have known weeks ago couldn't command a majority in Parliament"
