One of the biggest Conservative donors has accused senior Tory figures of acting like political “jihadis” as the party tears itself apart over its approach to EU withdrawal.

In an exclusive interview with The Independent, Alexander Temerko warned Tory MPs that he and other backers will not accept the party seeking a catastrophic no-deal Brexit.

In a hard-hitting interview he also said that Ms May should accept the EU’s proposals on the Irish border in return for a guarantee of the UK’s integrity and repeated his view that the prime minister should step down after Brexit. Mr Temerko also vowed that Boris Johnson would never have his support again unless he returned to the political centre-ground.