A SOUTHAMPTON MP expelled from the Conservative Party last month after rebelling over Brexit is one of ten to have had the party whip restored.

Romsey and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes has rejoined the parliamentary party following a meeting with Prime Minster Boris Johnson.

Winchester MP Steve Brine is also among the 10 to have the whip restored, as well as senior figures including Sir Nicholas Soames and Alistair Burt.

Twenty-one MPs were kicked out of the party last month after they backed a plan to take control of the Commons timetable to pass legislation to block a no-deal Brexit.

Former ministers Greg Clark, Ed Vaizey, Margot James, Richard Benyon, Stephen Hammond, and Richard Harrington have also had the whip restored.

A Conservative spokesman said Boris Johnson met with 10 of the 21 rebels in his Commons office on Tuesday evening.

He was said to have told them he always wanted to find a way for them to rejoin the party, and the 10 MPs accepted his offer to be readmitted.

“They have had the whip offered back to them, they have accepted the whip: they are Conservative Members of Parliament with the Tory whip,” the spokesman added.

He said the decision was not a comment on the other 11 who have not had the whip restored.

Among them are former Tory chancellors Philip Hammond and Ken Clarke, along with former justice secretary David Gauke.