Boris Johnson sparks fresh Government split by defending Jacob Rees-Mogg threat to Theresa May
4 min read
Boris Johnson has defended Jacob Rees-Mogg after he warned Theresa May that her government could collapse unless she completely severs ties with the EU after Brexit.
Mr Rees-Mogg said he and his allies would vote against any withdrawal agreement which he said broke the promises the Prime Minister made to the country at last year's election.
His comments sparked anger from fellow Conservatives - including two Foreign Office ministers - who accused him of “insolence” and “blackmail”.
But in an astonishing intervention, their boss the Foreign Secretary took a completely different approach - arguing Mr Rees-Mogg was a “principled and dedicated MP who wants the best for our country”.
The comment is a major blow for the Prime Minister and will be seen by colleagues as an open declaration of war.
In an article for the Daily Telegraph today, Mr Rees-Mogg urged the Prime Minister to secure a clean break from the EU or risk seeing a major Commons rebellion when it comes before the House.
"The Prime Minister must stick to her righteous cause and deliver what she has said she would, she must use her undoubted grace to persevere," he argued.
"Any attempt by the EU to impose its laws and court on the UK, either directly or indirectly, must be rejected.
“Any EU agreement that restricts the country's ability to make trade agreements with other states, restricts our ability to control our migration policy makes us pay to trade or interferes with our fishing waters could not be accepted.
“Indeed MPs would vote against such propositions in Parliament."
Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan led a Tory backlash against the North East Somerset MP, who he said should "pipe down" and stop "threatening" the Prime Minister.
Mr Duncan's Foreign Office colleague Alistair Burt also took aim at Mr Rees-Mogg, accusing him of putting his "ideological clique" before the interests of the country.
Other Tories also piled in, accusing Mr Rees-Mogg of “hectoring nonsense” and ordering him to “shut up”.
The latest Tory splits emerged as the Prime Minister prepares for a crunch Cabinet meeting at Chequers on Friday, where she hopes to finally agree the Government's Brexit strategy.
It emerged this morning that Mrs May has come up with a new option for the UK's future customs relationship with the EU after failing to win Cabinet support for the previous two.
But ministers were left furious after details of the latest plan were revealed on Radio Four's Today programme before they were informed.
Olly Robbins, the Prime Minister's key Brexit adviser, will brief each Cabinet member in a series of one-to-one meetings in the run-up to Friday.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn mocked Mrs May's Brexit woes in the House of Commons.
He said: "We look forward to the much-vaunted third way on customs that the Prime Minister hopes will unite her Cabinet, because the current chaos at the heart of government leaves us facing crucial unanswered questions.
"The Prime Minister is stuck between two warring factions but she has to pick a side. The question is quite simply this: does she want a close trading relationship with the EU with aligned rights and regulations or does she believe in the visions of those on her benches who see Britain’s future as a low regulated low investment tax haven?"
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