Sunday newspaper round-up: Brexit, RICS, Trump, Heathrow drones, Flybe

Theresa May’s government is facing meltdown today as The Sunday Times reveals how a senior House of Commons official helped rebel MPs who are plotting to derail Brexit. Leaked emails obtained by the Sunday Times show that Dominic Grieve, the former attorney-general, has been in secret communications with Colin Lee, the clerk of bills, with the explicit intention of suspending Britain’s departure from the European Union. - The Sunday Times

MPs plotting to stop Brexit risk causing a "political tsunami", Liam Fox has warned. Writing for The Telegraph, the International Trade Secretary warns that failing to deliver on the 2016 referendum would open up a "yawning gap" between voters and Parliament. - Sunday Telegraph

Jeremy Corbyn is poised to back a plan to block a no-deal Brexit as pressure builds within Labour and the trade unions for a delay to Britain’s EU departure. It is understood that the leader and his shadow cabinet team are preparing to support a proposal that would force Theresa May to request an extension to Britain’s EU membership should no Brexit deal be agreed by early March. - Observer

Jacob Rees-Mogg emerged last night as Theresa May’s best hope to avert a snap General Election – or her forced departure from Downing Street by the spring. In the wake of the Prime Minister’s crushing Commons defeat on her Brexit deal, a group of her most senior allies have ‘war-gamed’ a scenario in which Mrs May would sue for peace with her rebellious backbenchers by offering to resign by May – in exchange for them dropping their opposition. - Mail on Sunday

The valuations of high street shops and shopping centres could be slashed after property agents were ordered to reflect the havoc sweeping the retail industry. The Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has taken the rare step of instructing valuers to be “aware of the potential for significant changes in value” in retail properties - and to use the widest possible range of evidence to take account of the seismic shifts in shopping habits. - The Sunday Times

Former cabinet ministers attempting to block a no-deal Brexit are to face members of their local Tory parties amid a backlash over their actions in Parliament. Sir Oliver Letwin and Sir Michael Fallon's Conservative associations have both convened meetings so members can confront their MPs about their involvement in bids to prevent the UK from leaving the EU without a deal. - Sunday Telegraph

Donald Trump forged ahead on Saturday and proposed a deal to end the US government shutdown, despite Democrats having rejected it before he began to speak. If its timing was striking, the rejection was no surprise. In exchange for temporary concessions on the status of threatened migrant groups, the president doubled down on his demand for a border wall. - Observer

A 38-year-old man has been charged with flying a drone near Heathrow Airport days after a scare at Gatwick grounded more than 1,000 flights. George Rusu allegedly used a drone on a field near the runway at Heathrow, Britain's busiest airport, on Christmas Eve. - Mail on Sunday

The scandal-hit cake chain Patisserie Valerie could go bust tomorrow if emergency talks between leading shareholder Luke Johnson and its banks fail. The entrepreneur has been scrambling to extend a standstill agreement on the company’s bank facilities, which expired on Friday. If he fails, HSBC and Barclays could demand repayment of £9.7m of overdraft debt. - The Sunday Times

Flybe's largest shareholder is threatening legal action to block a Virgin Atlantic-led takeover of the airline after reportedly accusing its bosses of neglecting their duty as directors. Hosking Partners, a London-based asset manager that owns almost a fifth of Flybe’s shares, has written to its board and City watchdogs to complain about the cut price £2.2m deal announced earlier this month. - Sunday Telegraph

The scale of ticket touts’ grip on access to live music and sports has been revealed, after the Viagogo website published details of its most prolific sellers, under the terms of a court order secured against the company by regulators. Information released by Viagogo showed that touts have grabbed thousands of pounds worth of tickets to see artists such as Ariana Grande and Fleetwood Mac, which they then advertise to music fans at vast markups. - Observer

New suppliers have provided much-needed competition in the energy market, often undercutting the prices of the Big Six - British Gas, EDF, Eon, Npower, ScottishPower and SSE. But some of the entrants, poorly resourced and woefully capitalised, have not lasted long. Hit by rising wholesale prices and ever-increasing payments to the Government, they have gone into meltdown. Over the past 12 months, nine suppliers have gone bust, the latest being Economy, which had 235,000 customers. - Mail on Sunday

Less than 48 hours after he was hauled from the wreckage of an overturned Land Rover near the Queen’s Sandringham estate on Thursday, the 97-year-old Duke of Edinburgh was back at the wheel of his replacement vehicle yesterday - and was warned by police after he was spotted driving alone, without a seatbelt. It was not clear whether Prince Philip intended an epic act of defiance to calls for him to give up driving following Thursday’s collision near the estate with another car that left two of its occupants injured. - The Sunday Times

Fears are mounting that the $1.4 trillion risky loan market could lead to a subprime mortgage-style meltdown after Bank of England research caused shock waves at the world’s top central banks. Financial stability experts on Threadneedle Street were the first to reveal exposure to leveraged loans that fund the most indebted companies. - Sunday Telegraph

What a time to be a butcher. With Veganuary in full swing and scientists delivering an onslaught of post-Christmas advice about the perils of meat eating, butchers are under pressure from all sides, caught in the cleft of consumer demands for better quality food at ever cheaper prices. Take Robert Byford. A year ago, his shop in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, was one of four serving a population that was enthusiastic about steak and bacon. Now Byford Food Hall is the last one standing. - Observer

Britain's top bosses are being paid as much as 1,000 times more than the average wage of their employees, a Mail on Sunday investigation has found. Analysis of accounts filed by the country’s 100 biggest listed companies showed bosses at private equity giant Melrose, housebuilder Persimmon and Ladbrokes bookmaker owner GVC last year had the largest disparities between the pay packages handed to their chief executives and their staff. - Mail on Sunday