Iran press/Europe: A ballot will be held on Wednesday in the House of Commons and an announcement made as soon as possible afterwards, according to Graham Brady, chairman of the party's so-called 1922 committee, formally known as the Conservative Private Members' Committee.
Brady said he received 48 letters from Conservative MPs indicating their loss of confidence in Theresa May, the required amount to trigger a vote, ABC News reported.
Theresa May said she would contest the vote, arguing a leadership change would be devastating for the country.
"I will contest that vote with everything I've got," May added outside Number 10 Downing street.
She noted, "Through good times and bad over the last two years, my passionate belief that a [Brexit] deal is attainable remains intact."
"The British people want us to get on with it. We must and we shall deliver on the referendum vote," British Prime Minister said adding, "I have devoted myself unsparingly to these tasks since I became Prime Minister, and I stand committed to the job."
An EU flag flutters infront of a caricature of Theresa May opposite the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, December 12, 2018. REUTERS
In a stark warning to Brexit-supporting opponents in her party, May said that if they toppled her then Brexit would have to be delayed and perhaps even stopped.
"A new leader wouldn't be in place by the January 21 legal deadline, so a leadership election risks handing control of the Brexit negotiations to opposition MPs in Parliament," May added.
"So one of their first acts would have to be extending or rescinding Article 50, delaying or even stopping Brexit when people want us to get on with it," she said.
With less than four months until the UK is due to exit the EU, on March 29, the world's fifth-largest economy is tipping towards crisis, opening up the prospect of a disorderly no-deal divorce or a reversal of Brexit through a second referendum.
The ultimate outcome will shape Britain's economy, have far-reaching consequences for the unity of the United Kingdom and determine whether London can keep its place as one of the top two global financial centers.
The British pound, which has lost 25 cents against the US dollar since the 2016 referendum, fell after news of the confidence vote broke but then rose to $US1.2548 after revelations Brexit might have to be delayed. 101/ 211 /202
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