Owen Paterson still opposed to proposed EU motion

Mr Paterson's position, which has remained steadfast since the Prime Minister revealed the terms of her deal, puts him at odds with the rest of the region's MPs, who have now fallen in line behind the government plan.

In an opinion piece in today's Telegraph, Mr Paterson said: "I will not vote for an agreement which sees the UK broken up, have laws imposed upon it by a foreign power, subjected to substantial fines for non-compliance, from which there is no unilateral right of exit, and pay £39 billion for the privilege."

It is yet to be confirmed whether Theresa May will hold a third meaning vote on her deal, having lost two previous attempts, with the government seemingly not prepared to suffer the embarrassment of a third defeat for the agreement.

Negotiations are ongoing to decide on whether to hold the vote.

After opposing, and voting against the deal, both Telford MP Lucy Allan and Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski have now switched and thrown their weight behind the plan.

The move mirrors that of other Conservative MPs, with a steady trickle of Tories thawing in their attitude toward's Mrs May's deal.

Despite the diminishing number of those opposed to the plan, its success still depends on attracting support from either the DUP, committed Brexiteers such as Mr Paterson and Stone MP Bill Cash, or Labour MPs who have previously voted against the proposal.

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard, Ludlow MP Philip Dunne, and Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies would all continue to support the agreement in a third vote, having previously backed the proposal.

Mr Paterson, who said he had informed his whip of his position, said he could not countenance an arrangement that leaves Britain subject to laws which it does not make.

Catastrophic

He told the Telegraph the Conservative Party could face "catastrophic damage" if it does not deliver Brexit on April 12.

Mr Paterson said: "What is shocking is how many Conservatives – including Government Ministers – voted to revoke Article 50. Having voted to trigger it and having stood on a Manifesto promising to deliver Brexit, they are now openly contemptuous of the 17.4 million people who voted to Leave and all those voters who put them in office.

"Those MPs have engineered a stand-off between people and Parliament to which there is only one resolution. We must leave the EU as soon as possible, even without a deal, as the law requires. The Statutory Instrument passed this week to extend our departure date is perfectly clear. Unless the Withdrawal Agreement is approved by 11pm on Friday, the UK will leave the EU at 11pm on April 12.

"This is nothing to fear from the UK perspective. Businesses I have spoken to are prepared for Brexit and have taken the necessary measures expecting departure on March 29. Further delays will cause uncertainty, which really will damage business."

Mr Paterson added that even if the DUP supported the agreement it would not alter his opinion that it would be bad for the UK.

He said: "The deal has not changed and it is a very bad deal where law will be imposed on UK citizens for the first time in centuries where there is no involvement from UK representatives."

Challenged

Mr Paterson said that if those laws were not imposed the government could be challenged and fined.

The North Shropshire MP is a member of the pro-Brexit European Research Group of MPs, which has played a leading role in pressuring the government over its approach to negotiations.

The past 48 hours has seen one of its most high profile figures, Jacob Rees-Mogg, suggest he would back the deal if the DUP were prepared to accept it, while Boris Johnson, who has consistently opposed the plan, has switched to back it amid fears of parliament "stealing Brexit".

Mr Paterson said MPs are facing considerable pressure over the plans.

He said: "There is huge pressure on on MPs. There is a terrible longing to do this deal and move on but my judgment is this is so bad it does not end the argument.

"People will be really angry when they realise how bad it is."

But Ludlow MP Mr Dunne warned a third meaningful vote could be the only chance to ensure Brexit takes place.

He said: "This is the last chance to deliver the referendum result and to legally leave the EU and I would urge Brexiteer colleagues to get behind the government proposal or risk no Brexit at all."

Montgomeryshire MP Mr Davies said that unless they agree to back the deal, it could be the committed Brexiteers who are the reason the UK does not leave the EU.

He said: "It is my own view that these hard line Brexiteers who have not supported the agreement will be the ones who have caused there to be no Brexit at all."

Mr Kawczynski has also reiterated his call for those opposed to the plan to get on board.

He said: "All those MPs who are holding out for some unicorn which is not going to appear, are endangering Brexit. That is something the public will never forgive them for, to put it diplomatically. They are playing with fire.

"If the DUP continue to behave in this way, they could well end up with a Corbyn government, and all the ramifications that would have for Northern Ireland. I have told that to several members of the DUP, and if they are prepared to risk that, I suppose that is a matter for them."