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Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May received further tests to her authority this week after a letter signed by Michael Gove and Boris Johnson was leaked to the media.

As Theresa May prepares for a possible defeat in Parliament when she presents her EU withdrawal bill, this leak would have further tested not just her resolve to govern but also her authority to lead Britain out of the EU.

The leaked letter complained of "insufficient energy" on Brexit in some parts of the government and insisted any transition period must end in June 2021 – a veiled attack on the chancellor, Philip Hammond.

One cabinet minister told the Guardian: "It is not surprising that they [Gove and Johnson] would express their view. But what is surprising is that they would write this down and use this kind of language in a letter to the prime minister.

"Some have described it as Orwellian, and it is. It is not helpful when people try and press their views in untransparent way."

Another minister said: "I doubt they thought this would ever come out. It stinks to high heaven. May will have to dress them down or look weak."

Another former cabinet minister also expressed shock that the letter came into public light but acknowledged that this kind of arm twisting by Brexit supporters was expected to happen behind the scenes.

The letter states: "We are profoundly worried that in some parts of government the current preparations are not proceeding with anything like sufficient energy. 

"We have heard it argued by some that we cannot start preparations on the basis of ‘No Deal' because that would undermine our obligation of ‘sincere cooperation' with the EU. If taken seriously, that would leave us over a barrel in 2021."