Johnson faces a new rebellion in his government over the prospect of a deal without agreement

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing a new rebellion in his government as a group of ministers resign over fears he is leading the country out of the European Union without an agreement.

The Times reported on Wednesday that Culture Minister Nikki Morgan, Northern Ireland Minister Julian Smith, Justice Minister Robert Buckland, Health Minister Matt Hancock and Attorney General Jeffrey Cox were considering resigning.

A government minister cited by the newspaper, who did not give his name, said "a very large number" of Conservative lawmakers would pull out if it came to an exit without agreement.

At a cabinet meeting, the ministers warned Johnson of the "imminent" danger of re-establishing direct rule in Northern Ireland and raised concerns about Dominic Cummings, Johnson's chief adviser.

Stupid game
The British government said on Tuesday after telephone talks between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Johnson that Merkel believes that an agreement on Brexit is "highly unlikely."

"I think the EU has a veto against leaving Britain to the customs union."

The German government had no immediate comment on what Britain said, while a Labor Party spokesman for Brexit accused Johnson's conservative government of trying to "sabotage the negotiations."

"This is a new cynical attempt by the British government to sabotage the negotiations," Starmer wrote in a tweet on Twitter.

"It is more important than ever that parliament unite to prevent this reckless government from leaving us from the EU at the end of the month," Starmer said.

European Council President Donald Tusk called on Britain to say what it wants about its exit from the European Union, after London announced its opinion on a phone call between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"Boris Johnson," Tusk tweeted on Twitter. "What is important is not to win a foolish process of recrimination, but what is important is the future of Europe and the UK, as well as the security and interests of our (European) people."

There are only three weeks left for the UK to leave the EU, but the future of the exit remains largely uncertain as London and Brussels seek to avoid responsibility for delaying exit or withdrawal without agreement.