SHE is the Prime Minister who has refused to quit despite a series of crises over the government’s Brexit strategy, but yesterday there was fresh speculation she could finally go if the UK ends up taking part in the European Parliament elections in May.

Amid growing unrest Tory backbencher Nigel Evans said there were “big question marks” about whether Theresa May should carry on, telling journalists “trust is waning, trust in ebbing away”. The Conservative MP made the remarks after May faced angry MPs in the Commons where she said she would be opposed to the UK to take part in European Parliament elections, scheduled to take place between May 23 and 26.

“As Prime Minister, I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than June 30,” she said.

The comment prompted questions from journalists whether she would resign in the event of a longer extension. Her spokesman did not deny she might resign if she is faced with the prospect of a longer delay, either through the efforts of MPs or the EU.

“It’s important she sends a very clear signal of the right way forward and that is what she’s done,” he said. “She doesn’t think more navel gazing will solve the problem. We need to get this done and deliver for people. What you should infer is her determination to get this over the line.”

During PMQs May also announced she was preparing to bring proposals for a third meaningful vote on her deal next week – just days after Commons Speaker John Bercow indicated he would block such an attempt unless there were substantial changes to the deal.

She told MPs: “The government intends to bring forward proposals for a third meaningful vote. If that vote is passed the extension will give the House time to consider the Withdrawal Agreement Bill. If not, the House will have to decide how to proceed.”

Ahead of May’s comments at PMQs, Nicola Sturgeon also called for the Prime Minister to step down.

The First Minister tweeted: “About to chair a meeting of @scotgov resilience committee preparing for the possibility of a no deal Brexit. Only upside is that it saves me from #PMQS and listening to this weak PM failing to stand up to the hardliners and risking no deal instead. She needs to go.”

If the delay is approved by the EU leaders, May will rush legislation through both Houses of Parliament next week to remove the March 29 leaving date from Brexit laws.

Aides yesterday declined to name a date for the third “meaningful vote” – known in Westminster as MV3 – but said it would happen “as soon as possible”.

They said May will “passionately” make her case for a three-month delay today to the leaders of the remaining 27 EU states, whose unanimous approval is required for any extension.

But an unconfirmed report in French news magazine Le Point suggested that President Emmanuel Macron will argue against any postponement beyond March 29.

Only six days ago, May’s effective deputy David Lidington warned a short delay would be “downright reckless”. And a motion tabled by the Government last week appeared to keep a longer extension of nine months to a year on the table. But Leave-backing ministers are understood to have piled on pressure at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting to keep any delay short.

The PM’s aides said the final form of May’s letter to Tusk was not decided until yesterday morning. Asked if the decision had the backing of Cabinet, source would say only: “There was a long discussion on Brexit at Cabinet yesterday.”