Boris Johnson has been accused of trying to create a "punch up" with the EU with his plans to rip up post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland.
Angry Tory MPs claimed the Prime Minister was deploying " red meat, dead cats and play-things" to shore up support with Leave-backing MPs.
They suggested that other ministers would then use the row to show "a bit of leg and a bit of muscle" to further their own leadership ambitions.
