Former top aide to Brexit Secretary to lead pro-EU party
2 min read
Brexit Secretary David Davis's former chief of staff is to lead a new pro-EU political party, it has been confirmed.
James Chapman will announce more details on The Democrats at a 'People's March for Europe' rally in Parliament Square, Westminster, on 9 September.
Mr Chapman has become a fierce critic of Brexit - which he has labelled a "catastrophe" - since quitting the Government before the general election.
In a statement, he said: "I did my best to make Brexit work for a year - and it won't. There is no upside and it is clear that every sector of our economy will suffer for decades to come. Project Fear is Project Fact.
"The first duty of our politicians is to stand up for the interests of their constituents - and that means sound money and job opportunities for all. The MPs that have left Britain careering towards a cliff worse than Black Wednesday have failed in that duty and are guilty of misconduct in public office.
"The march on Parliament will be for members of all parties and none - but I will be announcing my intention to lead a new party, The Democrats, which will reverse Brexit with no second referendum.
"It's time for all of those with consciences to put nation before country and make sure we are Great Britain once again - not the Little Britain of Nigel Farage and Vladimir Putin's wet dreams."
Mr Chapman - who is a former political editor of the Daily Mail and was also director of communications for George Osborne when he was Chancellor - posted a picture of himself toasting the new party in Greece, where he is on holiday with his family.
Earlier, he had launched an outspoken attack on David Davis in a series of tweets.
Asked about Mr Chapman’s recent outbursts on ITV’s Good Morning Britain show today, the Brexit Secretary said: "Dear old James did a great job as my chief of staff, but even on the day he arrived he was a Remainer.”
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