THERESA May is bracing herself for more ministerial resignations ahead of a series of key Commons votes later this month after suffering a major blow when George Eustice quit the Government, saying the prospect of a delay to Brexit was Britain’s “final humiliation”.

After the Prime Minister saw more than 100 Tory MPs rebel against her plan to put to a vote the possibility of extending the Article 50 process - should any new deal she brings back from Brussels be voted down - she now faces a nervous time ahead of three potential votes with the possibility other Brexiteers might follow the Farming Minister’s lead.

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Mr Eustice’s move came as it emerged that Spain is poised to announce a move to limit the impact of a no-deal Brexit on some 300,000 British tourists and expatriates.

Under the plan healthcare provision for British residents and tourists would be guaranteed until at least December 31, 2020 while British residents would also continue to have access to the social security system, which gives rights to unemployment benefits and pensions.

At Westminster, Mr Eustice wrote a searing letter to Mrs May, urging Britain to summon up the courage to be ready to “face down the European Union here and now” and to “reclaim our freedom” by leaving without a deal, if necessary, and then talk to Brussels afterwards.

The Cornish MP, who campaigned to leave in the 2016 referendum, told his party leader he had resigned because of her decision to open up the path to putting back Brexit Day from March 29. He is the 11th minister to do so over Brexit.

Mr Eustice wrote: “Since Parliament is now in direct control of events, I want to be free to participate in the critical debate that will take place in the weeks ahead.”

The backbencher made clear he would vote for the PM’s Withdrawal Agreement when it returned to the Commons but noted how he had “stuck with the Government through a series of rather undignified retreats”.

He went on: “However, I fear developments this week will lead to a sequence of events culminating in the EU dictating the terms of any extension requested and the final humiliation of our country.”

The former minister praised Mrs May’s tenacity and resilience and pointed out: “What our country needs from all its political leaders at this critical juncture is courage and we are about to find out whether Parliament has it.”

He said he felt the European Commission had not behaved honourably during the talks, deliberately making progress slow and difficult.

Mr Eustice stressed Britain could not negotiate a successful Brexit unless it was prepared to walk out of the door.

“We must therefore have the courage, if necessary, to reclaim our freedom first and talk afterwards. We must be ready to face down the European Union here and now.”

The Brexiteer added: “I will do what I can from the backbenches to try to salvage this sorry situation and I hope that, when the moment comes, Parliament will not let our country down.”

The PM said she was very sorry to see her colleague go, describing him as an “exemplary minister” during his five and a half years at the Environment Department - the longest of any minister – and that he had been a champion of the UK’s fishing and farming communities.

Other ministers who have resigned over Brexit are: Boris Johnson[Foreign]; David Davis[Brexit]; Dominic Raab[Brexit]; Esther McVey[Work and Pensions]; Steve Baker[Brexit]; Suella Braverman[Brexit]; Jo Johnson[Transport];Sam Gyimah[Education]; Shailesh Vara[Northern Ireland] and Guto Bebb[Defence].

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Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, described Mr Eustace as a “brilliant minister” and a “dear friend,” who would be sorely missed.

Mr Johnson insisted Mr Eustice had been “brave and right,” adding: “His superb letter to the PM shows that no-deal may yet be the best option for the UK.”

But the SNP’s Ian Blackford tweeted: "Another day another resignation from the UK Government. Any illusion to strong and stable ended before it began but this is beyond parody.

"This is not a functioning Government it is the Tory party at war with itself under a Prime Minister who can't give leadership."

In other developments:

*Nicola Sturgeon attacked the "so-called" Scottish Secretary David Mundell after he and other Scottish Tory MPs helped vote down the SNP bid to rule out a no-deal Brexit during Thursday night’s Commons votes;

*the European Commission rebuffed a call by MPs for an agreement with the UK to ensure that the rights of expats were protected across Europe in a no-deal scenario, saying it was not prepared to make “mini-deals” outwith the Withdrawal Agreement;

*Stephen Barclay, the Brexit Secretary, refused to say if he, the PM or other Conservative MPs would back ruling out a no-deal Brexit;

*Labour's Keir Starmer claimed UK ministers were "not even attempting to change a single word" of the Brexit deal to ease concerns over the Irish backstop;

*leading Scottish businessman Sir Tom Hunter said politicians had “let us all down” during the Brexit process and reiterated his support for a People’s Vote;

*Nigel Farage, the former Ukip leader, is to lead a Jarrow-style "march to Leave" from Sunderland to London between March 16 and 29;

*David Lidington, the PM’s de facto deputy, held “constructive” talks with Simon Coveney, the Irish Deputy PM, who made clear the agreement would not be reopened and there was “only one EU negotiator: Michel Barnier” and

*Sir Mark Sedwill, the Head of Civil Service, announced TV adverts explaining the implications of a no-deal Brexit would be broadcast.