Theresa May accused of ‘running down the clock’ in a ploy to get her Brexit plan past

THERESA May has been accused of “running down the clock” in a bid to get her Brexit plan past defiant MPs.

They fear the PM will delay the key Commons vote for a second time next week and take the whole process right to the wire.

Brexiteers believe it is a deliberate plot to take the process so close to departure day on March 29 that they will have to back her to avoid chaos.

A senior MP said: “It’s the political equivalent of a footballer time-wasting in the dying minutes.

“Theresa May has taken the ball to the corner and is shielding it until the final whistle.”

Mrs May is facing fierce tackles from stubborn EU chiefs, Remainers who want a second referendum and Leavers who loathe her deal.

MPs return tomorrow and on Wednesday resume debate on the vote, suspended to avoid defeat.

Most still refuse to budge, and the ballot — scheduled for next week — is expected to bring the same outcome. Allies believe Mrs May will call it off again.

Former Chancellor Norman Lamont said: “The PM’s tactic is to run down the clock until MPs back the deal to avoid a no-deal departure.”

A Brexit-backing Tory minister said: “I hate the deal but am starting to think there’s no choice but back it.”

Last night Mrs May said MPs thinking of rejecting it should consider the effect on “the jobs our constituents rely on to put food on the table for their families”.