A WAR of words between Bournemouth’s two MPs has escalated with the suggestion that one should consider resigning his government post over his Brexit stance.

The latest exchange came after Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood, a defence minister, wrote a newspaper article calling on the government to rule out a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

Mr Ellwood’s column prompted his Bournemouth West colleague Conor Burns to write on Twitter: “If Ministers want to argue against the consequences of legislation they voted for (even if they didn’t understand it) they should do so from outside Govt and from the back benches. Not seek to tie the PM’s hand through articles in Sunday newspapers.”

Mr Ellwood wrote in the Sunday Times: “I voted to remain. Yet it is my democratic duty to honour the Bournemouth East referendum result and support the decision to leave.”

But he said leaving the EU without a deal would have “profound economic and security consequences for the UK”.

He pointed out that ‘no deal’ was the default outcome if the government could not get a withdrawal agreement passed by Parliament.

“It is simply wrong for government and business to invest any more time and money in a no-deal outcome that will make us poorer, weaker and smaller in the eyes of the world,” he wrote.

“It is time for clarity, flexibility and focus. It is now time to rule out the very possibility of no deal.”

It is understood that ministers’ opinion pieces for newspapers are run by Downing Street in advance.

Bournemouth’s two MPs have never been close and their relationship has deteriorated since they took opposite sides over the EU referendum.

Mr Burns supported Leave and is a close associate of former foreign secretary Boris Johnson.

Recently, Mr Ellwood suggested his constituency’s biggest private employer, JP Morgan, “would think about departing Bournemouth” in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

That prompted Mr Burns to tweet: “This takes scaremongering to new heights.”

He later added: “My first thought was how irresponsible it was and the needless anguish it would cause families working with JP Morgan over their kitchen tables.”

The exchange came as MPs prepare to vote on the way forward over Brexit.

Theresa May was due to return to the House of Commons today to lead a debate on the next steps in the process. MPs will vote on a series of amendments submitted by backbench and opposition members.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was rebuffed when he wanted a ‘no deal’ Brexit ruled out before entering talks with Theresa May.