Three ballot boxes have just been taken into the committee room ready for the confidence vote.

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The energy minister says Theresa May has "worked her socks off to get us to where we are".

Claire Perry urged Tory MPs to back the PM in this evening’s leadership vote.

She told Huw Edwards: "The choices are, we get that deal, or we run the risk, a genuine risk, of no deal... we are basically running out of time to get this deal done, particularly if we have a delay for a leadership contest.”

German MEP Elmar Brok says he is "ever more surprised" by events in the UK and suggests internal Conservative infighting risks derailing the entire Brexit process.

Mr Brok, who chairs the EU Parliament's foreign affairs committee, says the UK needs to get on with approving the withdrawal agreement so that negotiations can begin on the two sides' future relationship.

"We made a compromise and you do not stick to the compromise," he tells 5 live, adding that the prospect of a no-deal exit was going up.

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Scotland's first minister says Theresa May should resign, whatever the outcome of the vote tonight.

Nicola Sturgeon tells the BBC: "Theresa May should resign, this entire government should resign, because its made such a mess of Brexit and it's ceased to function in any other respect.

"You know we've been reminded today what the entire UK has been plunged into because of a vicious civil war within the Tory party.

"It's a disgrace, it's selfish and self-indulgent, and the sooner the lot of them go the better."

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Conservative commentator Tim Montgomerie says Theresa May is probably going to win, "possibly quite handsomely".

He says there will be question marks over Sir Graham Brady's decision to hold the contest so quickly - adding that holding the vote next week would have allowed opposition momentum to build.

In terms of numbers he suggests Downing Street will be "very pleased" if the rebellion is under 100 MPs.

A larger rebellion than that will, he says, lead to pressure on the Cabinet to be more assertive towards the prime minister.

Labour MP David Lammy has criticised a legal document launched by David Davis and Dominic Raab today, claiming to offer an alternative plan for leaving the EU.

The backbench MP and supporter of the Best for Britain campaign for a second referendum, says: "The alternative plan of two failed Brexit secretaries is not a solution but a recipe for disaster.

"Not only would it create a hard border in Ireland, it would cut the UK off from our closest partners and make the whole country poorer, disproportionately hurting the worst-off.

"As we stand, there is no clear majority in this House for any specific Brexit plan.

"The way to unblock our politics and get a mandate for a tangible plan to move forward is through a people's vote, which gives the option to remain in the EU."

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The Scottish government's Brexit secretary says the country must not be forced to "pay the price" for the decision taken to leave the EU.

Speaking at Holyrood on Wednesday, Mike Russell says: "Why should people in Scotland have to pay the price of such a catastrophic policy that they do not support, which will harm their life chances and opportunities for generations to come?

"Put bluntly, if we cannot save the UK from itself, we must find a way to save ourselves from the UK.

"Scotland does deserve better. No reasonable person looking at the clusterburach at Westminster this week can deny that."

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DUP leader Arlene Foster has been talking to the BBC.

She says there are ways through the current situation, but "we have to be creative".

"It is important we get a deal but it has to be the right deal," she says - adding that she has spoken to the prime minister who "understands what is needed in terms of dealing with the backstop".

In terms of the Conservative Party leadership, she says it is up to Tory MPs who should lead them.

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Backbench Tory and staunch Remainer Anna Soubry has written to her constituents, telling them she is "ashamed" to be a member of her party.

In the newsletter from the Beeston MP, she writes: "Today I am ashamed to call myself a Conservative given the irresponsible actions of a small group of Conservative MPs who have called a vote of no confidence in the prime minister, Theresa May.

"The last thing our country needs or wants is a change in prime minister."

Ms Soubry says she does believe in a "change in direction on Brexit" and that Mrs May "will have no other option than to return the matter and her deal to the people".

But she adds: "Removing her from office at this most critical of times, is most certainly not in the national interest.

"The small group of MPs who have put in 48 letters of no confidence represent the right wing of the Conservative Party who have blighted the party for decades.

"Unfortunately, like too many other prime ministers before her, Theresa has overly indulged them instead of seeing them off - I hope she will this evening."