EX-PRIME Minister David Cameron has insisted he does not regret calling the 2016 referendum despite the 'difficulties and problems' of the Brexit process.

The former Witney MP led the remain side ahead of the vote and resigned one day after the country chose to leave the EU. 

Mr Cameron has since stepped back from frontline politics, but he backed Theresa May after his successor's withdrawal agreement suffered a huge defeat by MPs last night.

The Prime Minister faces a vote of confidence in the Commons this evening, which Mr Cameron said he was 'sure' she would win.

BREXIT: How did Oxfordshire's MPs vote last night?

But he insisted it was the right decision to call the referendum and added he hoped MPs would 'come together' to find an alternative agreement with the EU.

He told the BBC this morning: "I don't regret calling the referendum - it was a promise I made two years before the 2015 general election,

"It was included in the manifesto, it was legislated for in parliament - six out of seven members of all parties voted for that referendum.

"Obviously I regret that we lost the referendum - I deeply regret that - I was leading the campaign to stay in the European Union and obviously I regret the difficulties and the problems we've been having trying to implement the result of that referendum.

"But I don't think it's going to be helped by me giving a running commentary.

"I support the prime minister - I support her aim to have a partnership deal with Europe - that's what needs to be in place, that's what parliament needs to try and deliver now, and she has my support as she tries to do that."

Speaking ahead of tonight's vote, he said: "I hope she wins the vote tonight, I'm sure she will.

"I hope then that Parliament can come together and find an alternative partnership agreement with the European Union, that's the right way forward, that's what her deal was about last night and she has my support as she does this."

Mr Cameron was Prime Minister for six years and Witney MP from 2001 until he resigned in September 2016.

In November, it was reported he wanted to return to frontline politics.

Read again: Calls for David Cameron to re-enter public life get cool reception from readers

Current Witney MP Robert Courts was the only Conservative from Oxfordshire to vote against the agreement.