'We could end up losing Brexit': Hunt says Britain may not leave EU after all, as pressure for second referendum grows

Foreign secretary admits there is 'wind in the sails' of pro-referendum campaigners

Jeremy Hunt has warned there is a real risk of "losing Brexit" in the coming weeks, as MPs prepare for a critical vote in the on Theresa May's plans in just over 48 hours.

Speaking as negotiations in Brussels go down to the wire, the foreign secretary also indicated that a delay to Brexit will be necessary - regardless of the outcome of Tuesday's vote.

He admitted there is "wind in the sails" of pro-referendum campaigners, and said in three weeks' time they could be two-thirds of the way needed to stop Britain's withdrawal from the bloc.

His remarks came as MPs gear up for a second "meaningful vote" on the prime minister's deal in the Commons, after her first was rejected in the biggest parliamentary defeat in British political history in January.

Unless Ms May manages to secure last-minute concessions from EU negotiators and convince MPs to support her plans, it appears likely she is on course for another crushing defeat in the chamber.

In a warning to those in the Conservative Party thinking of rejecting Ms May's deal once more, Mr Hunt said the consequence of failing to deliver Brexit would be "devastating" for the Tories.

Appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, Mr Hunt also told Brexiteers that if "we get this wrong", the country could end up in a customs union with the EU post-Brexit - something advocated by Jeremy Corbyn's Labour party.

Mr Hunt continued: "We have an opportunity now to leave on 29 March or shortly thereafter and it is very important we grasp that opportunity because there is wind in the sails of people trying to stop Brexit.

"If you want to stop Brexit you only need to do three things - kill this deal, get an extension and then have a second referendum. Within three weeks people could have two of those three things and quite possibly the third one could be on the way through the Labour Party. We're in very perilous waters."

Pressed on whether a delay was inevitable even if Ms May manages to secure the backing of parliament this week, the foreign secretary said the UK can leave on 29 March, or "shortly thereafter".

But he added: "A delay is not in the interest of the EU either - they don't want the shadow of Brexit hanging over them, they've got lots of other things they want to deal with.

"That's why this is a very important moment for us. There is a risk and a possibility that we end up losing Brexit if we get the votes wrong in the next couple of weeks. I think that is something in their hearts most MPs know would be a very big mistake."

Appearing shortly before Mr Hunt, the shadow chancellor John McDonnell said his party would support a short extension of the Article 50 negotiating period, adding it should be "as long as necessary".

On Sunday, the former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab also warned that the government is in a "precarious" position over Brexit ahead of the Commons vote.

Asked on Sky News's Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme if Mrs May would still be Prime Minister by Christmas, he said: "I don't know. She has said she is going to step down. I would like to be able to see her do that in a way which is in terms of her own choosing.

"I think the Government has found itself in a precarious situation, particularly I think if the Government extends Article 50 or tries to reverse the Brexit promises that we have made, I think that situation would get even trickier."