Brexit - as it happened: Tories turn on 'insolent' Rees-Mogg after Brexiteer threatens open revolt against May
Follow for the latest updates from Westminster
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Theresa May has been mocked for failing to secure unity within her own cabinet on Brexit as Tory infighting spilled out into the open ahead of a crunch meeting on Friday.
Jeremy Corbyn questioned how Ms May could get a Brexit deal if she could not get her ministers in line, and warned that cabinet infighting was having a "debilitating effect" on jobs and business.
It comes as senior Tories piled in to criticise Jacob Rees-Mogg for "insolence" after the leading Eurosceptic fired off a warning over Ms May's Brexit strategy.
Mr Rees-Mogg, who chairs the European Research Group of pro-Brexit backbench Tories, said she must deliver the Brexit she promised or risk collapsing the government, ahead of crunch cabinet talks at her Chequers retreat on Friday.
Foreign office minister Alan Duncan accused him of "insolence" towards the prime minister, while Alistair Burt, another FCO minister, tweeted: "Enough. Just tired of this endless threat and counter threat. Why don’t we want the best for the U.K. than for our own ideological cliques?"
His comments also attracted criticism from respected backbenchers, such as health committee chair Sarah Wollaston and Tory grandee Sir Nicholas Soames, who told his Tory colleague to "shut up".
Labour’s Pat McFadden grills May on whether she would extend the article 50 process or the transition.
May says the UK will be leaving the EU on 29 March 2019 but does not mention the transition period.
The statement has now come to an end.
Cabinet office minister David Lidington will make a statement on the contaminated blood inquiry.
Interesting intervention from Boris Johnson into the Brexit row.
Boris Johnson has leapt to the defence of a prominent critic of Theresa May as Tory infighting over Brexit intensified ahead of crunch Cabinet talks on the UK's exit strategy.
The Foreign Secretary said MPs should be "able to air their views" after Jacob Rees-Mogg was criticised for saying the Prime Minister must deliver the Brexit she promised or risk collapsing her Government.
Mr Johnson's intervention on Twitter on Monday also appears to put him at odds with a minister in his own department, with Sir Alan Duncan earlier accusing Mr Rees-Mogg of "insolence".
Mr Johnson said: "It's vital that all MPs are able to air their views on Brexit.
"Whatever your position, I hope we can all agree that Jacob Rees Mogg is a principled and dedicated MP who wants the best for our country."
Responding to the statement in the upper chamber, Labour leader in the Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon stressed the need for a "sense of urgency" in the divorce talks.
"We are running out of time," she said.
She added: "In the absence of an agreed UK position the EU has made it clear it is preparing for a no-deal outcome. And as we have said so often no deal is the worst possible outcome and it would be catastrophic for the UK."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments