MP Steve Baker says he “owes it to the Wycombe Conservative Association to continue” in his role amid claims he told other senior members of the European Research Group he “may yet resign the whip” if Theresa May’s Brexit deal passes.

Addressing a meeting of the ERG on Wednesday night, the former junior Brexit minister said he was in a “ferocious rage” after the “pantomime” of Mrs May’s announcement and indicated he “may yet resign the whip than be part of this”, a source said.

The Wycombe MP is also said to have received an “enormous standing ovation” following the emotional speech, in which he is believed to have said: “I could tear this place down and bulldoze it into the river. These fools and knaves and cowards are voting on things they don’t even understand.

“We’ve been put in this place by people whose addiction to power without responsibility has led them to put the choice of No Brexit or this deal. I may yet resign the whip than be part of this.”

Speaking to the Bucks Free Press, Mr Baker said “all MPs wrestle with impossible choices at this time”, adding: “I owe it to Wycombe Conservative Association to continue”.