Furious MPs from both sides say the Prime Minister's 'us versus MPs' claim feeds into the narrative of the far right – which the PM herself warns is on the rise.

In a statement delivered in Downing Street, Theresa May lambasted MPs saying "Parliament has done everything possible to avoid making  a choice".

The Prime Minister sought to blame MPs after asking the EU for a delay to Article 50.

She said: "So far, Parliament has done everything possible to avoid making a choice.

She added: "All MPs have been willing to say is what they do not want."

Parliament has twice-rejected the deal Theresa May negotiated with the EU.

But MPs have said her comments were inflammatory – especially in a context where many have received abuse and even death threats.

Labour MP Diana Johnson said: "This type of message is very dangerous in the current political climate and feeds a far right narrative."

Labour MP Chris Bryant tweeted: "The Prime Minister's self-righteous and delusional attempt to stir up hatred of parliament and MPs is profoundly irresponsible.

"The atmosphere is already incendiary enough without her fanning the flames of intolerance."

MPs' security measures were stepped up in the wake of the murder of Labour backbencher Jo Cox in the run-up to the 2016 EU referendum.

Nicky Morgan, a former Conservative minister, has said she feared MPs were on the receiving end of “systematic intimidation” in an attempt to force them to change votes on Brexit .

Anna Soubry, who quit the Tories to sit with The Independent Group, was repeatedly targeted by abusive far-right demonstrators as she went to television interviews outside parliament

Labour MP Wes Streeting added: "Theresa May knows that MPs across the House are subjected to death threats – some very credible.

"Her speech was incendiary and irresponsible. If any harm comes to any of us, she will have to accept her share of responsibility."

Tory former minister Sam Gyimah, who resigned over the Prime Minister's Brexit deal, said Theresa May had delivered a "low blow" by "resorting to the blame game".

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think democracy loses when a Prime Minister who set herself against the House of Commons and then blames MPs for doing their job.

"And this is particularly worrying given she knows MPs are receiving hate mail in their inboxes. Some MPs are receiving death threats."

No10 today dismissed criticism of Theresa May's Brexit TV address amid claims she was trying to drive a wedge between Parliament and the people.

Mrs May's spokeswoman said today: “What the PM was doing was setting out to the public that while we're not going to be to leave with a deal, on time on March 29, she is not prepared to support an extension beyond June 30.”

She added: “I can't speak for MPs but what I can say is the PM is working incredibly hard to find a way to get this deal over the line so we can bring this part of the Brexit process to a conclusion.”

The spokeswoman said she would “flatly reject” claims Mrs May had put MPs at risk with her comments.

But Brexit Minister Kwasi Kwarteng defended the Prime Minister.

He told Good Morning Britain: “I don’t think there is a blame game at all- she set out very clearly where we are in the process. There is a deal. If we get the deal through, we can get a short extension to the Article 50 process and we can leave the EU.”

On accusations that Theresa May is relinquishing responsibility, Kwasi said: “Look, I don’t see that at all. I think what she was saying was obvious. What’s happening is that MPs have been wrangling and debating and moving motions…without actually coming to a view. The Prime Minister was making that point in a passionate way. She is as frustrated as anyone.”

He continued: “If Parliament approves the deal, I think our lives will be a lot simpler. I also think we will be able to leave the EU in a timely fashion. Regrettably not on the 29th march, but we certainly will have left by the 30th of June.”

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