Fresh Cabinet split looms as ministers prepare to set out 'managed no-deal' Brexit plans
2 min read
A fresh Cabinet split is looming as senior ministers prepare to set out their plans for a so-called "managed no-deal" Brexit.
According to the Telegraph, up to 11 senior ministers will outline their proposals at tomorrow's Cabinet meeting as a way of breaking the Brexit deadlock.
The group includes prominent Leave supporters Andrea Leadsom, Penny Mordaunt and Liam Fox as well as former Remainers Jeremy Hunt and Gavin Williamson.
However, a handful of pro-EU Cabinet members - Amber Rudd, David Gauke, David Lidington, Philip Hammond and Greg Clark - will vehemently oppose the move.
The managed no-deal option is reportedly being spearheaded by International Development Secretary Ms Mordaunt, who believes her proposals would cut the UK’s £29bn Brexit divorce bill in half.
Yesterday, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt broke ranks to declare that Britain would “flourish and prosper” if it quits the EU next year without a deal.
And today, the Times reports that the Home Secretary Sajid Javid will use tomorrow’s Cabinet to demand more cash to prepare for a no-deal Brexit, as he believes the scenario is becoming increasingly likely.
However, Justice Secretary Mr Gauke yesterday told the Financial Times: "I couldn’t support a conscious decision to crash out at the end of March and I don’t think there are many who could.”
Meanwhile, the Telegraph reports that Attorney General Geoffrey Cox has told colleagues that they must remove the Prime Minister early next year in order to renegotiate her Brexit deal.
The newspaper claims that three different sources confirmed the comments, which were allegedly made during a conference call with Mr Hunt, Mr Javid and Environment Secretary Michael Gove.
A spokesman for Mr Cox said: "The Attorney General firmly denies any suggestion that he called for the PM to be removed. This is completely untrue."
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