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Priti Patel has blasted the Government for "failing" to set out a post-Brexit vision for Britain.

The former international development secretary said "we should have had more conviction and clarity of our end-state destination".

A key figure in the Vote Leave campaign during 2016's referendum, Ms Patel admitted the current state of negotiations was "not ideal at all".

She also suggested Cabinet ministers were to blame for splits at the top of the party - attacking those "trying to crowbar" the Prime Minister.

Responding to an audience question at a Spectator event on Monday night, Ms Patel said: "I think she is juggling now with a difficult set of cards, post-the election, and not a strong majority.

"But also, as you said, personalities and certain views in Cabinet as well - trying to crowbar and put their own marker, in terms of direction of travel on Brexit."

Ms Patel also revealed she would have responded to EU demands of a higher exit bill by telling the bloc to "sod off with their excessive financial demands".

And highlighting her own rise through the party from its grassroots since becoming a member 28 years ago, she called for huge reform to its structures.

"I think we do need to completely recalibrate and start again," she said.

Issuing a challenge to the party to win back young voters, the Witham MP called for Tory "activism" to return to universities.

"Let's get some Tories elected to student union presidents once again," she said.

Ms Patel's comments come three weeks after her resignation over undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials.

She spoke as pressure builds on Theresa May to move negotiations with the EU on to trade in December.

Despite the PM's "degree of confidence" that talks would proceed to the second phase next month, Ireland has threatened unresolved concerns over the border could see it veto the move.

Mrs May's spokesman said on Monday the issue could only be fully concluded "in context of the future relationship".