Tory MP quits frontbench accusing Theresa May of 'grave error' over Brexit compromise plan with Jeremy Corbyn
3 min read
A furious Tory MP today quit his job as a minister with a blast at Theresa May for her “grave error” in seeking to forge a Brexit compromise with Jeremy Corbyn.
Nigel Adams quit as a Minister for Wales and a government whip after the Prime Minister agreed to meet with the Labour leader in a bid to strike a deal over a softer form of Brexit.
In an angry resignation letter, he said Mrs May had decided that a Brexit deal “cooked up with a Marxist who has never once in his political life put British interests first is better than no deal”.
The Prime Minister last night provoked fury from members of her Cabinet, her backbenchers and from her confidence and supply partners in the DUP with her offer to meet the Labour leader.
Her move could mean keeping the UK in a permanent customs union with the bloc - a price Mr Corbyn has been demanding for months - in exchange for Labour support for a deal in the Commons.
Mrs May also revealed she would ask the EU for a fresh delay to Brexit to 22 May - with the UK currently due to quit the bloc with no deal on 12 April.
Mr Adams said “legitimising and turning to Jeremy Corbyn to assist you at this crucial stage, rather than being bold, is a grave error”.
The Selby and Ainsty MP added: “I and many others agreed with your previous position that no deal is better than a bad deal.
“It now seems that you and your cabinet have decided that a deal - cooked up with a Marxist who has never once in his political life put British interests first - is better than no deal.
“I profoundly disagree with this approach and I have therefore decided that I must reluctantly tender my resignation.”
'NO PRECONDITIONS'
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay meanwhile admitted the Government could sign up to a permanent customs union with the EU - leaving the UK unable to strike its own trade deals around the world.
He said the option was “highly undesirable” but insisted the Government was “not setting preconditions” for the talks with Mr Corbyn, due to take place this afternoon.
Speaking on the Today programme on Radio 4, he argued: “It’s undesirable but it is the remorseless logic of the House of Commons.
“If the Prime Minister’s deal won’t go through, and no deal in law is taken off the table, then the consequences of that is either a softer Brexit or no Brexit at all.”
Mr Barclay also left the door open to backing a fresh EU referendum on any compromise deal, although he did note there were “certain things that will be very difficult,” adding: “This isn’t a blank cheque.”
Meanwhile, Shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long Bailey said her party could “certainly” troop through the voting lobbies with Theresa May if she met the Labour demands on Brexit.
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