Ex minister Phillip Lee defects from Tories to the Lib Dems over Brexit

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Boris Johnson saw his Commons majority humiliatingly wiped out today as a former minister dramatically crossed the floor to join the Lib Dems.



As the PM was struggling to defend his Brexit stance in the chamber, Phillip Lee walked away from his colleagues and went to sit with Jo Swinson's pro-EU party.



The extraordinary moment came as the Tories descended into all-out civil war ahead of a huge showdown over No Deal tonight. 



Mr Johnson has said he will immediately table a motion to trigger a snap general election before Brexit if he loses, which would be voted on tomorrow night. 



In a statement, Dr Lee said the 'party I joined in 1992 is not the party I am leaving today'.



'This Conservative government is aggressively pursuing a damaging Brexit in unprincipled ways,' he said.



Losing his overall majority is a symbolic blow to the PM, although in reality the Brexit issue has been splitting parties to such an extent that it will make a big difference to the not change the challenges he faces. 



However, Mr Johnson was defiant as he addressed MPs immediately after the extraordinary scenes this afternoon.



Attacking Remainer plans to seize control of the Commons and pass legislation ruling out No Deal, Mr Johnson said: 'It is Jeremy Corbyn's surrender bill.'



In a stinging barb about the concessions to Brussels he added: 'They would be able to keep us in the EU for as long as they like and on their terms.' 



Mr Johnson stressed that there will be 'no further pointless delay' to Brexit. 



'Enough is enough. The country wants this done and they want the referendum respected,' he said. 'We are negotiating a deal and though I am confident of getting a deal, we will leave by October 31 in all circumstances.'  



Prior to the defection the PM had an effective majority of just one. Dr Lee switching sides makes it a minority government - although the premier can also rely on the support of Charlie Elphicke, who is currently suspended from the Tory whip.  



Earlier, the PM met senior Remainers including Philip Hammond and David Gauke ahead of the crucial vote, which could define the future of the country for decades.



But the discussion quickly descended into acrimony, with government sources accusing Mr Hammond of behaving 'disrespectfully' and 'chuntering'.



The premier accused the former chancellor during the encounter of 'handing power to a Junta including Jeremy Corbyn' by backing the anti-No Deal legislation.  



Rebels have insisted they will not back down despite warnings of deselection and Mr Johnson's explosive threat to call a snap election for October 14.



More than a dozen are still expected to vote against the government this evening on the cross-party bid to seize control of Commons business and pass legislation ruling out No Deal.



Former ministers Justine Greening and Alistair Burt pre-empted punishment for siding with Remainers by announcing they will not stand as a Tory candidates again.



Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson gloated about the new addition to her ranks. 'Welcome @DrPhillipLeeMP - you have joined us at the most crucial time. I look forward to working with you to prevent a disastrous Brexit, and to fight for a fairer, more equal society,' she wrote on Twitter. 



In a challenge to the PM, Mr Hammond was reselected in Runnymede and Weybridge by executive members of the Conservative Association at a private meeting last night.



Earlier today he slammed the government's 'aggressive' tactics, saying the PM will have the 'fight of a lifetime' if he tries to deselect him. 'I am going to support the Bill... I think we have the numbers,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.



He also launched an excoriating attack on maverick No10 Brexit chief Dominic Cummings. 'This is my party, I am going to defend my party against people who are at the heart of this government who care nothing about the future of the Conservative party,' he said. 



Mr Hammond, Mr Gauke, Greg Clark and Caroline Nokes were among a group of senior figures in No10 for private talks this morning. 



Allies of the PM said the rest of the group were 'civil' and 'respectful' but Mr Hammond 'interrupted' and 'chuntered' during the meeting.



Mr Johnson is said to have made very clear that he 'would not tolerate' the Bill.   



In a statement on the steps of Downing Street last night, Mr Johnson insisted he 'does not want' an election, but warned that rebels would 'cho