'There's NO division on Brexit!' Tory minister in FIERY clash over claims of cabinet chaos
TORY minister Chris Grayling has insisted he and his colleagues are “united around the cabinet table” when it comes to Brexit following reports of “bickering” over the EU divorce.
Chris Grayling shuts down claims of Conservative cabinet chaos
The Brexiteer was swift to rubbish claims Chancellor Philip Hammond, a Remainer, was working to “frustrate Brexit”.
Speaking to Sky News, he said there were “no divisions” over what the Government hoped to achieve during Brexit negotiations.
He asked about in-fighting, he said: “You’re talking about Remainers and Brexiteers – now, the reality is the country voted to leave the European Union, we are going to leave the European Union.
“And we’re all united around the cabinet table in wanting a sensible arrangement for the future, with sensible trading arrangements to sort out issues around the future of EU and UK citizens – there is no division over these things.”
Chris Grayling insisted the cabinet was united on Brexit
Philip Hammond: We need a Brexit transition arrangement
We’re all united around the cabinet table in wanting a sensible arrangement for the future
But presenter Jonathan Samuels continued to probe the politician and likened the cabinet to “schoolchildren in a playground”.
He said: “You say there’s no division over these things but every journalist in Westminster knows that the bickering is going on…
“It sounds like schoolchildren in a playground arguing when we’re facing what is one of the most momentous events in the country’s history.”
Mr Grayling then rejected the suggestion of discord within Government once more.
Philip Hammond was accused of trying to "frustrate" Brexit
“What I read in the newspapers over the weekend is stuff that simply wasn’t true,” he said. “I read descriptions of cabinet meetings in the newspapers over the weekend that simply weren’t accurate – that’s a fact.”
The heated exchange comes after a cabinet minister reportedly claimed the Chancellor of trying to disrupt the Brexit process amid furious infighting between Theresa May’s top team.
The anonymous Cabinet member told The Telegraph: ”What's really going on is that the Establishment, the Treasury, is trying to **** it up. They want to frustrate Brexit.
“This is a critical moment. That's why we have to keep Theresa there.
“Otherwise the whole thing will fall apart.”