A LEADING Brexiteer who quit the Cabinet over Theresa May's Brexit deal NOW says she could back it.

The ex-Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey said Leavers would have to "think a different way" the next time it comes back to a vote.

Speaking to the BBC's Political Thinking podcast, she also called for ministers who voted against the Government to be sacked.

Ms McVey, a prominent Leaver, quit after the final deal was published last November, and has been a vocal critic of it ever since.

Asked by Nick Robinson if MPs like her would "hold their noses and vote" for Mrs May's deal – which is expected to return to the Commons next week – Ms McVey said: "Yes. They will. I don't know what the number is, but they will have to do that if they… want Brexit."

"The [situation] now is people will have to take a bad deal rather than no deal," she added – and that would include her.

Friends of Ms McVey said yesterday she might come around, in a huge sign that the deal will pass on the third try.

One added: "Esther wants to see if something can be done with the deal after it is passed, but is thinking hard about it now."

Her fellow Tories are also looking for a way to come and support the deal too when it comes back to the Commons – possibly as early as next week.

Conor Burns MP said: "I've reached the point where I'm actively looking for reasons to support the withdrawal agreement."

It comes after MPs voted last night to force the PM to seek a Brexit delay for at least three months – and possibly longer.

Meanwhile, Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay gave a big hint that he won't accept an long Brexit delay.

Speaking just hours after he rebelled against the PM to try and stop the delay from going through at all – despite it being the Government's official policy – he said we shouldn't be afraid to leave without an agreement.

"I support Brexit, this constituency voted in very large numbers for Brexit. We need a deal, we need to get that over the line.

"If we can get the deal through as I hope we still will we will now need a short technical extension, but if not we shouldn't be afraid to leave with no deal."

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