Theresa May joked about being at a packed Conservative Friends of Israel lunch - amid a perilous day for her leadership after she delayed the crunch vote on her Brexit deal she seemed destined to lose - saying: "Is there something else happening?"

As her political survival hung in the balance, the prime minister recevied a one-minute standing ovation on Monday from more than 800 people at the annual lunch at the Westminster Plaza hotel.

She spoke of the "friendship" between "two great democracies - the United Kingdom and Israel."

The PM said: "Criticising the Government of Israel is never – and can never, ever be – an excuse for hatred against the Jewish people.

"There are no excuses for any kind of hatred towards the Jewish people. The fact that the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn has allowed antisemitism to grow unchecked is a stain on the reputation of a once great party."

She continued: "Shamefully, it has contributed to a growing sense amongst Jewish people that they are under threat.

"That is a tragedy for our country and something that everyone in this room will stand against.

"The United Kingdom will soon have a permanent reminder of the horror to which antisemitism can lead. The National Holocaust Memorial will stand next to Parliament in Victoria Tower Gardens."

But speaking in front an audience that included Chancellor Philip Hammond, Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and Party Chairman Brandon Lewis, she also spoke of "complex" negotiations with the EU over her much criticised Brexit deal.

Repeating her claim that the deal was "the best available", Mrs May gave a clear hint about her the contents of her statement to parliament that she was due to give shortly afterwards.

She referred to the much-discussed Northern Ireland backstop which she said was about "preserving peace" in the region.

But she added she wished to "reassure my colleagues" that the backstop would only be "a temporary solution".

It was later revealed that these remarks were not part of her prepared speech.

One Tory Minister told the JC that this was a broad hint that the PM would shortly issue a statement to Parliament saying she would return to the EU to "battle for Britain" over the backstop issue.

The PM also said: "I’ve had to make difficult decision to achieve this deal, but everyone who’s been involved in negotiation, knows that you don’t get everything you want.

"If the deal is rejected, none other will miraculously appear. The choice will be between no Brexit at all and no deal Brexit. One would betray our democracy and the other would hurt our economy.

"I have always known, it might be difficult, but I’ve always believed it is still possible and I believe it still is.

 "And the question that will face those who agree with me; that the result of the 2016 referendum must be honoured, is this: Will we get behind the deal, leave the EU in March without disruption and get straight on with making a success of Brexit and focus once again on many important issues facing our nation?

"Or will we let this opportunity slip through our fingers, risking Brexit being stopped in its tracks, by those who seek that outcome. Or going ahead in a disorderly way, without a deal?"

Mrs May said her party stood "in support and slidarity with the Jewish community in the UK and the people of Israel".

She said: We stand together in support of Conservative principle: Security for families in the country, freedom under the rule of law and opportunity for everyone. And when we stand together there is no limit to what we can achieve. Let me wish everyone a very happy Chanukah."

"The fact you are here speaks volumes over your steadfast support for the state of Israel," said CFI parliamentary chair Stephen Crabb to the Prime Minister ahead of her speech to the lunch.

The lunch also heard strong speeches were CFI chairman Andrew Heller and Honorary President Lord Pollack.

Others MPs at the event included Priti Patel, junior Justice Minister Edward Argar and Minister of State for Justice Rory Stewart.

Board of Deputies chief executive Gilliam Merron was also there along with the Jewish Leadership Council’s Simon Johnson and Jonathan Goldstein.