Lord Heseltine has announced a shocking statement that Britain may not leave the European Union, despite Brexit negotiations starting this week.
The former deputy prime minister said on BBC's Newsnight that the first day of difficult negotiations signified concerns that leaving the EU is proving to be an impossible task.
He was pressed as to whether he believes Brexit is dead, to which he replied: 'Yes.'
'Britain's vision of independence belongs in the past.'
He added that Britain's vision of independence belongs in the past.
The Europhile Conservative said he was not sure quitting the EU will become a reality after Brexit Secretary David Davis lost the first round of negotiations on Monday.
The former deputy prime minister attacked the Government's vision of Brexit, claiming there is no majority for a 'hard' EU exit in Parliament or the Cabinet.
He added leaving is going to be costly, as shown by the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, demanding the UK pays Brussels a divorce bill after Monday's first round of negotiations, despite protests from the British Government that the issue be avoided.
The timetable for leaving was revealed by Mr. Barnier on Monday, with trade discussions being delayed until October, much to the dismay of Prime Minister Theresa May.
Yet Lord Heseltine predicted Mrs May will not survive by October, adding a leadership race is imminent.
'The Government must rethink its strategy.'
He said likely candidates are already canvassing other Conservative MPs in the House of Commons and that a fragile relationship with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party will make a leadership challenge increasingly likely.
Since Brexit negotiations started on Monday, Margaret Thatcher's former deputy is not the only politician calling on the Government to rethink its strategy.
It is clear some of the Tory peer's comments may be reflected in support for remaining a member of the Single Market among many Labour backbenchers.
The Guardian issued a statement from a group of Labour politicians, including former leadership hopeful Chuka Ummuna, calling on the Conservatives and Labour to support a 'soft' EU exit.
This would result in the UK remaining a member of the European Economic Area, or the Single Market, which consists of Norway, Lichtenstein, Iceland and all 28 EU member states.
It would mean Britain may have to continue to continue with allowing for the free movement of workers, a controversial issue during last year's referendum.
Despite this, Lichtenstein managed to implement its own points-based system in 1995.
Britain would have to accept certain types of European legislation if it opted for EEA membership.
'Reform of the Single Market'
The Labour group is urging their leader, Jeremy Corbyn, to differentiate his Brexit policy from that of the Government's.
They are demanding that he ensures jobs are at the forefront of his EU stance.
They said the Single Market is unique to any other trade deal Britain could negotiate once it quits Brussels' rule, as it is the only one in the world that guarantees free access to a market of 500 million people and protects workers.
The group wants Labour to push for reform of the conditions of EEA membership, particularly the free movement of workers, whilst remaining a member.
The Labour rebels are due to meet every two weeks and they are canvassing for support from opposition backbench MPs to approve their aims.
Other notable figures who have joined this group include former Northern Ireland secretary Lord Peter Hain, who has commended shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer in his current role.
But like many in this group, he does not want Mr. Corbyn to mirror the Government's Brexit strategy, labelling Tory politicians like Michael Gove and Boris Johnson as a 'motley crew' who have hijacked Mrs May's stance on the issue.
In a further blow to the Government's policy, Chancellor Philip Hammond called for a 'jobs first' Brexit, despite pledging to support the Prime Minister's position on The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday.
