Lord Adonis quits as government adviser with attack on 'extremist' Theresa May
2 min read
Lord Adonis has stormed out of a key government advisory role with an extraordinary attack on Theresa May over her "dangerously populist" approach to Brexit.
The former Cabinet minister has quit as chair of the National Infrastructure Committee after making a series of outspoken remarks about the Government's plans to leave the EU.
In a resignation letter seen by the Sun, the pro-European peer claims the Prime Minister has become the "voice of Ukip" and the "extreme nationalist right wing" of the Tory party.
He writes: “Brexit is a dangerous populist and nationalist spasm worthy of Donald Trump. After the narrow referendum vote for an undefined proposition to ‘leave the EU,’ it could have been attempted without rupturing our essential European trade and political relations.
“However, by becoming the voice of UKIP and the extreme nationalist right-wing of your party, you have taken a different course, for which you have no parliamentary or popular mandate.
“You are attempting to wrench Britain out of the key economic and political institutions of modern Europe, erecting barriers between people and trade even within Ireland. If this happens, taking us back into Europe become the mission of our childrens’ generation, who will marvel at your wanton destruction.”
It is the latest in a series of incendiary remarks about Brexit, including a House magazine interview where he compared the vote to leave with the appeasement of Adolf Hitler.
He also enraged Tory MPs in October by travelling to Brussels with Ken Clarke and Nick Clegg to lobby the European Commission.
However government sources told the paper Lord Adonis was on the verge of being dismissed from his role anyway, not least as he planned to vote against the Government's flagship EU Withdrawal Bill when it reaches the Lords next month.
A Number 10 insider said: “He’s been moving closer towards the exit door with each new onslaught. He’s now walked through the door before he was pushed.”
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