Malthouse compromise: What is the Brexit plan which could unite warring Tories?

Analysis: Hardline Eurosceptics and Tory remainers are thrashing out an alternative to a key part of Theresa May’s Brexit deal. But are they just playing for time, asks Lizzy Buchan

But is there any way around the backstop? (Getty)

The prime minister has invited Conservative MPs from both sides of the Brexit divide for talks at the Cabinet Office this week to try to break the present political impasse, after her deal with the EU was resoundingly rejected by parliament in January.

Leading Brexiteers including Steve Baker and Owen Paterson have joined forces with pro-EU types such as Nicky Morgan and Damian Green to form the “Alternative Arrangements Working Group”, which will bunker down for three days of brainstorming to deliver on a Brexit “plan C”.

Westminster was caught unawares when the unexpected compromise plan emerged last week, which seeks to remove the unpopular Irish backstop from the current deal and replace it with alternative arrangements.