THE controversial Christchurch MP Sir Christopher Chope has called for the prime minister to quit – and even said he would consider voting against his own government in a no-confidence motion.

Sir Christopher said the government’s move to negotiate a delay to Brexit was “an act of national humiliation” and that the government was a “laughing stock” in Brussels.

Speaking in the Brexit debate in the House of Commons, Sir Christopher was interrupted by Labour MP Graham Stringer, who asked whether he would support a motion of no confidence in the government if the opposition tabled one.

Sir Christopher said: “Frankly, I would seriously consider that issue.

“I expressed no confidence in the prime minister when we had a vote within our own parliamentary party and my considered opinion now is that, were a similar vote to be held, there would be an overwhelming vote against the prime minister and an expression of no confidence in her.

“One then thinks about the logical extension of that. I am not going to make any promises to the honourable gentleman now, but obviously it would need the leader of the opposition to initiate such a move. I think that government members who felt that they were being betrayed would then actually look at the implications flowing from that.”

The veteran MP is already under fire from some local Conservatives for expressing his backing for Tory councillors who have decided to stand as independents, because like him they fought against the merger of Christchurch council with Bournemouth and Poole.

He has also been targeted by campaigners angry that he killed off parliamentary bills on subjects including 'upskirting' and female genital mutilation.

Sir Christopher voted against the government’s move to allow a delay while it seeks approval for a withdrawal agreement.

He told the Commons: “Parliament is being asked to endorse what is no less than an act of national humiliation – to renege on the decision it took two years ago triggering article 50 and to repeal or amend the act it passed last year to leave the European Union on March 29. By dishonouring the decision on article 50 and the result of the referendum, the government motion before us is a gross betrayal.

“As a member of the Exiting the European Union Committee, I have witnessed at first hand on our visits to Brussels the extent to which the government are now a laughing stock.”

He moved an amendment which would have delayed Brexit until May 22 for the purposes of replacing the UK negotiation team.

He added: “The feeling on the Conservative benches now is really strongly against the prime minister and her team. She has lost control, and at this most critical moment in our modern peacetime history, we need to change the general. If we were to change the prime minister now, there would be a case for a short extension to article 50, but in no other circumstances.”