A Dorset MP is backing Theresa May's Brexit plan - as the Prime Minister was left feeling the pressure following the resignation of several ministers yesterday.

West Dorset MP Sir Oliver Letwin has shown support for the 585-page draft withdrawal agreement, which he said offers "a sensible way" for the UK to leave the EU.

It comes after South Dorset MP Richard Drax called the draft deal "a betrayal" of the referendum vote when ministers were first invited to read it on Wednesday.

Sir Oliver said: "A second referendum is a fantasy. And crashing out with no deal is not a responsible course of action. I shall be supporting the Prime Minister’s deal - which seems to me to offer a sensible way for the UK to leave the EU with minimum economic disruption."

The draft agreement between the government and the EU sets out the proposed terms of Britain's departure. Mrs May, who will now have to win a Commons vote, said the draft was "the best that could have been negotiated."

However, support for the Prime Minister plummeted yesterday with several ministers resigning from their posts over the draft plan, including Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey.

North East Somerset MP Jacob Rees-Mogg was also the first of several MPs to submit a letter of no confidence in Mrs May.

Speaking to the Echo again yesterday, Mr Drax said: "The Prime Minister finds herself attacked on all sides. It's terribly sad for me to see the leader of my party under such an assault, but I do conclude that she's brought this on herself. She must change course."

Former MP for South Dorset, Lord Knight, called yesterday's events "absolute catastrophic chaos."

He said: "The country wants signs of certainty and decision and frankly, we are not getting it from anywhere in Westminster.

"People need an opportunity to vote on whether they want this deal, no deal, or to stay in the European Union after all."

During a news conference last night, Theresa May said she believes that the course she has set out is the right one.

CALLS TO 'PUT POLITICS ASIDE'

Business leaders and trade associations have cautiously welcomed a draft Brexit deal between the UK and EU, which could allow businesses to finally prepare for change.

Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling has called for Theresa May and all MPs to set politics aside over the coming days and "act in the national interest."

He said: “Many businesses will have noted the cabinet resignations and Parliamentary debates over the Brexit deal with concern.

“Whatever their view, the majority of businesses want a smooth, orderly and transparent Brexit which protects jobs and supply chains while giving them the certainty needed to invest and grow.

“The Dorset Chamber will be adding its voice to others in the British Chambers of Commerce to make business concerns heard in the corridors of power at Westminster.

“We will also be providing information and support to Dorset businesses about Brexit and the implications of developments as they happen.

“Lack of certainty over Brexit has become a fact of life of business but the sooner we know where we stand the sooner we can all get on with our day jobs: growing our businesses, driving the economy and creating wealth for our communities.”