PHILIP Hammond has been branded "treacherous" by a Conservative colleague after he told business leaders that a no-deal Brexit could be "taken off the table" and Article 50 "rescinded".

Tory backbencher Sir Christopher Chope expressed his unhappiness in the Commons after a transcript of a leaked conference call by the Chancellor with business leaders was published.

The Eurosceptic former minister suggested during Commons Business Questions that the Chancellor was undermining the Prime Minister with his comments.

"Can I ask if we can have an early debate on 'collective Cabinet responsibility' and what it means in current circumstances?” asked Sir Christopher.

The MP for Christchurch also asked Andrea Leadsom, the Commons Leader, if she would lead the debate, so "she can explain to the House the frustration we all feel on her behalf?"

He claimed the 2017 Conservative manifesto was being “undermined by treacherous comments from her own Cabinet colleagues".

Ms Leadsom, a Brexiteer, suggested Sir Christopher was tempting her but she could resist.

"All of my Cabinet colleagues are absolutely in agreement that we will deliver on the will of the people as expressed in the referendum of 2016.

"We will be leaving the European Union on March 29; that remains Government policy and we will continue to prepare for all eventualities," she explained.

The row came after the leaked call from Tuesday night, which took place shortly after Theresa May's Brexit deal was voted down in the Commons by a record margin.

Mr Hammond began the call by explaining the defeat raised two questions; could Article 50 be revoked and "whether we can somehow take the option of no-deal off the table".

And the Chancellor spoke about a cross-party Bill from Tory MP Nick Boles, which aims to force the Government to extend the Article 50 process if a Brexit deal could not be reached.

The business leaders sought assurances from him - together with Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay and Business Secretary Greg Clark, who were also on the call - that a no-deal outcome could be ruled out.

According to the leak to the Daily Telegraph, Mr Hammond said: "The Government is not in control of this. I am only telling you what information I have been able to glean.

"My understanding is that because the bill being brought forward will simply and solely rescind the Article 50 notice, the legal opinion that they have is that that will meet the test that the European Court of Justice has laid down for unilateral recission of an Article 50 notice.

"It is not within their power to mandate any future course of action; that would be for a Government to do."

A Treasury spokesman confirmed the phone call took place shortly after the vote on Tuesday but would not confirm any details.