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So Downing Street source confirms that the leadership election will begin on 22 May, if MPs support the prime minister's deal in third meaningful vote and Brexit happens on that timetable. It is a commitment that there will be "new leadership for phase two" of negotiations...
with the EU, as per what @BorisJohnson demanded to secure his support for her Brexit. I said on Sunday night she would do this, based on conversations with sources, but truthfully I didn't really believe it.
In terms of mechanics, she stays as leader and PM till new leader is in place. So @theresa_may will presumably still be PM till circa July. Also, no guidance available at all about when she would stand down if her deal is not ratified by MPs - which still looks very likely...
What the PM and Downing Street want tonight's narrative to be is that @theresa_may is laying down her political life for what she sees as the good of the country, namely seeing her form of Brexit implemented. The corollary is of course that the Tory Party would have to...
lump her if her deal flops again due in part to the opposition of some her Brexiter ultra MPs - and that remains highly likely
PS another Downing Street has just telephoned to tell me she is not committing that the writ will be laid for Tory leadership elections to start on the dot of 22 May, but on that day or a few days later.
