THE Conservative government have lost their majority in Parliament , after the defection of the Conservative MP Phillip Lee to the Liberal Democrats.
The pro-remain Bracknell MP, made his move in the House of Commons by walking across the chamber to the Lib Dem benches flanked by two of his new colleagues.
It means that opposition MPs now outnumber the Conservative and DUP ranks by one solitary MP. The Government can count on the support of 319 votig MPs, including ten DUP MPs, while there are 320 on the opposition benches, with Labour the biggest party with 245.
Before Dr Lee's defection, Mr Johnson only had a working majority of one in the Commons.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson: Back me on Brexit or face snap election
In a letter to the prime minister, Dr Lee said Brexit divisions had "sadly transformed this once great party into something more akin to a narrow faction in which one's Conservatism is measured by how recklessly one wants to leave the European Union".
"Perhaps more disappointingly, it has become infected by the twin diseases of English nationalism and populism."
He said the Lib Dems - who back another referendum on Brexit and want the UK to remain in the EU - were best placed to "heal the divisions" and "overcome the challenges we face as a society."
Dr Lee's decision to cross the floor was greeted with cheers on the opposition benches.
As the Prime Minister began to update the Commons on last month's G7 summit, Mr Lee, the former under-secretary of state for justice, walked across the floor of the Commons chamber, sitting down on the Lib Dem benches next to Jane Dodds, the newly sworn in MP for Brecon and Radnorshire.
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The development came as MPs were preparing to vote on Tuesday evening on whether to take control of the order paper to allow the passage of the backbench plan aimed at delaying Brexit to avert a no-deal departure, Boris Johnson is said to have promised to seek a general election if they do so.
The SNP's Westminister leader, Ian Blackford, said Dr Lee's defection capped what he said was the "shortest honeymoon period ever" for a new prime minister.
He said his party was ready for a general election at any time.
Mr Lee follows the ex-Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston and ex-Labour MP Chuka Umunna in joining the Lib Dems, who now have 15 MPs.
In his statement, Lee added: “This Conservative government is aggressively pursuing a damaging Brexit in unprincipled ways. It is putting lives and livelihoods at risk unnecessarily and it is wantonly endangering the integrity of the United Kingdom.
Phillip Lee (centre standing right) takes his seat among Liberal Democrat MPs as Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes a statement
“More widely, it is undermining our country’s economy, democracy and role in the world. It is using political manipulation, bullying and lies. And it is doing these things in a deliberate and considered way.”
Later Mr Lee said a radio interview featuring Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg was the "straw that broke the camel's back" in his decision to jump ship.
In the LBC interview, a consultant neurologist challenged the leader of the House of Commons on the government's no-deal Brexit plan.
"The way in which Mr Rees-Mogg referred to the consultant, his manner, his disdain, his disregard for an expert's advice was really quite shocking," said Dr Lee.
"That in tandem with this language sort of invoking battles and wars and the like, I'm sorry, it's wrong."
"I think that it's about time we raise the bar in politics."
Later the Prime Minister, while barracked by Labour MPs, said he would never agree to another extension to Brexit.
“Enough is enough,” he said. “The country wants this done and they want the referendum respected. We are negotiating a deal and though I am confident of getting a deal. We will leave by 31 October in all circumstances. There will be no further pointless delay.
“This house has never before voted the prime minister to surrender such a crucial decision to the discretion of our friends and neighbours overseas.”
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