CABINET WALKOUT: BBC's Laura Kuenssberg reveals Minsters could QUIT tomorrow
BBC’S political editor Laura Kuenssberg hinted that ministers could quit from Theresa May’s Government if they are not reassured the UK will not pursue leaving the European Union without a Brexit deal.
Brexit: Ministers could QUIT over no deal says Kuenssberg
Laura Kuenssberg claimed that ministers could quit as early as Tuesday if they are not reassured the UK will not pursue the prospect of a Brexit no deal. Over the weekend, Amber Rudd, David Gauke and Greg Clark, suggested they could be prepared to vote for a Brexit delay if there is no progress in negotiations. On Monday the Prime Minister insisted a Brexit deal was “within our grasp” as the UK prepares to cut ties with Brussels as scheduled on March 29.
Speaking on BBC’s Politics Live, Kuenssberg said: “It is more likely that there might have to end up being some kind of delay, that is a function of the diary.
“Now you hear EU leaders talking about it openly. And, of course, at home, there are dozens and dozens of Tory MPs looking at all sorts of different ways to get her to rule out leaving the EU without a deal.
“We know there are some ministers who might even quit, even tomorrow if the Prime Minister doesn’t somehow find a way out of that.”
She added: “Now, ministers have told me privately they expect her and I know Number 10 is looking for a way to try to assure them without showing very much ankle.
We know there are some Ministers who might even quit, even tomorrow
“Of course, what she has is an equal and opposite force, maybe even stronger political brute force is the eurosceptic wing of the party for whom any strong sniff of a deliberate delay, let alone a long extension to the process would cause them to go absolutely off the deep end.”
It comes as the Prime Minister has said she will put her Brexit deal to Parliament by March 12 at the latest - just 17 days before Britain is due to leave the EU.
Opposition parties have accused Mrs May of another attempt to "run down the clock" to force MPs to back her Withdrawal Agreement.
Labour MP Yvette Cooper, who drew up the amendment with Conservative former minister Sir Oliver Letwin, said it would now become the "real meaningful vote" on the Brexit deal.
Brexit: There is 'determination' to get a good deal says May
Speaking in Sharm el Sheikh on Monday, the Prime Minister insisted Brexit is "within our grasp" for Britain.
European Council president Donald Tusk revealed that he had discussed the legal and procedural process for extending withdrawal talks under Article 50 with the Prime Minister
Speaking at a press conference, Mrs May said: “An extension to Article 50, a delay in this process, doesn't deliver a decision in Parliament, it doesn't deliver a deal.”
She added: “We have it within our grasp. I’ve had a real sense from the meetings I've had here and the conversations I've had in recent days that we can achieve that deal.”