Conservative plotters told to get behind Theresa May amid Brexit fears

MPs in British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party who are trying to oust her as leader have been told to “put up, shut up” by the party’s chief in Scotland. Others in the party warned that the uncertainty over May was damaging Brexit negotiations with EU. May on Friday said she would remain as leader after a former Conservative chairman said he had garnered the support of 30 lawmakers who wanted her to quit. It followed a disastrous speech at the party’s conference and a snap election in June in which May lost her party’s majority in parliament. Senior figures have rallied round May, but the open rebellion coincides with Britain’s crucial talks with the EU just 18 months before Britain is due to leave. Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who is considered a possible successor should May be forced out, told the BBC the prime minister’s critics should “put up, shut up and get off the stage.” “I would tell my party to get its house in order, get together, knuckle down, and make sure that our first commitment, last commitment and only commitment is to the country,” she said. Her message came after former party chairman Grant Shapps, who claimed that 30 Conservative MPs had backed his view, toured media studios calling for a leadership election.