MP confident of Conservative success in general election

Sir Henry Bellingham said he is still hopeful a Brexit deal can be finalised with the European Union, but admitted a general election could be triggered by late autumn or the winter.

The North West Norfolk MP said the Queen's Speech will be a "pinch-point" in deciding whether there will be an election or not.

Sir Henry said: "I think we will know later tonight whether there will be an early election.

"The Prime Minister is looking to get the Queen's Speech through next month but it is hard to do so without a majority.

"I hope there will be a deal with Europe but we will walk away if there are no changes to the Backstop."

The Conservative MP said he was confident his Party would win a general election and would intend to stand to retain his seat if one was called.

With regards to the deselection of MPs who voted in support of a motion paving the way for legislation to delay Brexit until January 2020, Sir Henry said he would not have taken the whip away from them.

"We will need their votes on the Queen's Speech as long-standing Conservatives," he said.

"It's a great shame, but I do not like how they voted with Jeremy Corbyn. We will need them to stay on."

Rory Stewart, Ken Clarke and David Gauke were among the 21 Conservative MPs who were deselected.