Henry Newman, from pro-EU campaign group Open Europe, says the PM can take comfort from the fact that criticism of her today has come from the "usual suspects" in the European Research Group (ERG) rather than from other wings of the party.

Mr Newman, an ex-adviser to Michael Gove, says many MPs are worried that the PM will not put a time limit on her premiership and "go on and on" but Downing Street has "thrown the kitchen sink" at that idea in an effort to allay such concerns.

Special programme on BBC One with Andrew Neil will now start at 20:00 BST as voting closing, and an hour ahead of the result.

Lord Sugar is suggesting he and his team could themselves fired, at least for tonight, from their 21:00 time slot.

BBC Radio 5 live

"We're distracted and need to move forward," says Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood.

"I'm content that this pincer movement by the European Research Group (ERG) is going to be found out.

"We are going to have to lance this and recognise there has been a drag anchor on our party for some time.

"They [the ERG] have tried for the second time to thwart the prime minister's ambitions.

"They should fall in line. Unless they do they should ask themselves if should they be part of the party."

BBC News Channel

Reports that Theresa May is telling MPs she will leave office before the next general election have not impressed Lord Heseltine.

He tells Huw Edwards: "I never thought there was the slightest chance of her being around at the next election.

"She has already fought one election and lost the Tories their majority. They were never going to give her the chance to do it again."

He suggests that the result of no confidence is not in doubt, but the bigger problem is of her authority, or lack of.

He says: "My whole instinct is that she will win it, by how much I don't know, she will win it, but that is not the issue."

And he questions whether the Christmas recess should go ahead. Sittings in the Commons are due to end on Thursday December 20 until the New Year.

Image source, Reuters

The DUP's leader and deputy also met with Theresa May earlier

Arlene Foster says it was a "useful meeting" and "an opportunity to outline why the current withdrawal agreement is dangerous to our economy and the union".

She says they emphasised their position that they were "not seeking assurances or promises" but "fundamental legal text changes".

Mrs Foster adds: "The prime minister has known our position. We have been consistent which is why it is so frustrating that our warnings about the backstop have not been heeded.

"The DUP wants a sensible deal which our MPs can support in the House. Over the coming weeks, we will continue to work towards that.

"Unionism in Northern Ireland and across the House of Commons has rightly stood against this withdrawal agreement. It should be utterly unacceptable to any unionist. For Northern Ireland traders to be expected to treat GB as a third country is ridiculous and was never going to receive support in Parliament.”

BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, 5 Live

Paddy, a butcher at Brecon farmers market in Wales, voted to leave. He says he feels disappointed that a deal "wasn’t negotiated properly the first time".

“[The prime minister] went over there in a weak position, with a weak attitude, rather than with a harder point of view to suit Britain. I think Great Britain is a great county, and we can stand on our own without Europe. We can trade anywhere in the world. They need us as much as we need them. That’s how it should have been negotiated.”5 live will be bringing you all the latest developments until late. Click here to listen live.

Have your say - call 08085 909693 [Free from landlines and mobiles] or text 85058 [Texts will be charged at your standard message rate. Check with your network provider for exact costs].

BBC Radio 4

Conservative MP Kenneth Clarke has called the vote of no confidence "irresponsible".

The former chancellor says the best-case scenario would be for Theresa May to get a "comfortable majority" so the government can focus on Brexit.

He tells Radio 4's PM programme: "The idea that the Conservative party breaks off now and spends the next several weeks having what will be an extremely bloody and divisive battle over who is going to be its leader is irresponsible.

"It's a complete waste of time. It just takes us several weeks nearer to this dreadful deadline of 29 March... while our friends on the continent look on and decide we've finally gone completely mad."

Theresa May is fighting for her political future, as she appeals to Conservative MPs ahead of a vote on whether to remove her as party leader.

Many have already publicly said which way they plan to vote.

The ballot is secret, however, so an MP's public declaration might not match up to their mark on the ballot paper.

Voting is expected to begin at 18:00 GMT, with results due to be announced by 21:00 GMT.

Click here for more on your MP.

BBC Radio 5 live

BBC Radio 5 live caller Eleanor says: "I'm proud that [May] has stuck out for so long. I think it's really easy for her to have walked away.

"Part of me wonders if part of her is secretly hoping that she does lose the no confidence vote tonight so she can walk away and it doesn't look like it's her that's induced it.

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BBC News Channel

Labour's shadow Brexit secretary says Theresa May could put her deal to the public.

The PM has repeatedly said she would back such a move, but Hilary Benn says she could change her mind.

He says the PM may decide: "You know what? I still think it is the right deal for the country and I am going to put it to the country in a referendum and then, off we go, in deciding what the question or questions are."

Speaking about the no confidence vote, where a result is expected at 21:00 BST, he says: "I don't quite understand why those who have called it, what they are hoping to achieve."

He says of the Brexiteers: "They don't have a plan for Brexit."