COLCHESTER MP Will Quince has resigned from his Government position and revealed he cannot back Theresa May’s Brexit plan.

The Conservative has written an open letter to the Primer Minister where he outlines his fears over her deal for Britain to leave the EU.

He said he believes Britain could be following EU rules for years to come if it passes a crunch vote in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

Mr Quince, who voted for Britain to leave in the referendum but did not campaign on the issue, has previously stated he was undecided on how to vote in next week's crunch debate.

But he has now decided to step down from his junior government position as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson.

In the letter he said he was quitting with "deep regret and sadness" and praised Mrs May's dedication to trying to secure a deal and some elements of it but said he was unable to support it despite talks with her last week.

He said: "Notwithstanding the huge accomplishments of the withdrawal agreement, due to the absence of a unilateral exit mechanism and the consequent indefinite nature of the customs union if the backstop is triggered, it is with deep regret I cannot support it as it stands.

"The backstop probably won't be a comfortable place for the EU either, and I believe you when you say that both sides hope never to that both sides hope to never use it.

"However the reason I feel I have no choice but to resign is this remains a legally binding treaty.

"I cannot lend my support to a treaty, which, in my view, is capable of creating such a power and leverage imbalance that it would irrevocably weaken the UK's future negotiating position, and thereby undermine the positive work you have completed to date.

He added: "I did not come into politics to only talk about Brexit, and greatly regret I must resign over it.

"While it may be an important issue, it is only one of many.

"I would rather concentrate upon the issues which matters to us all - the economy, schools, hospitals, the environment.

"I wanted to support this withdrawal agreement, and I still want to support it, but unless the backstop is addressed to include either an end date or a unilateral exit mechanism, I cannot support it."

The majority of North Essex MPs have declared they will vote against the deal.

Only Braintree's James Cleverly has pledged his support to the Prime Minister.