This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/oct/26/theresa-may-voiced-fears-businesses-would-leave-uk-post-brexit-politics-live
The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Theresa May voiced fears businesses would leave UK post-Brexit - politics live | Theresa May voiced fears businesses would leave UK post-Brexit - politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 9.54am BST | |
| 09:54 | |
| Ukip MEPs reported to French police | |
| There is more turmoil for Ukip this morning as the president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, has referred the altercation between its MEPs Steven Woolfe and Mike Hookem to the French police. | |
| Following recommendation of EP Advisory Committee on Code of Conduct, I referred incident involving MEPs Hookem and Woolfe to FR authorities | |
| Woolfe, at the time the favourite to be the next Ukip leader, was taken to hospital in a serious condition after the fracas in Strasbourg, which was triggered by the revelation that he had considered defecting to the Conservatives. | |
| He subsequently quit the party, saying that the party had become ungovernable and was in “a death spiral”. Woolfe said he had been treated after the incident for “two seizures, partial paralysis and loss of feeling in my face and body”. | |
| Hookem has strongly denied landing a blow and is also threatening legal action against Woolfe for defamation, suggesting he staged a photograph that showed him passed out after having a seizure. | |
| 9.42am BST | 9.42am BST |
| 09:42 | 09:42 |
| Some sad news to report - Conservative former minister Nick Boles has revealed that he is battling against cancer for a second time. | Some sad news to report - Conservative former minister Nick Boles has revealed that he is battling against cancer for a second time. |
| 1. Some news: doctors have found a cancerous tumour in my head. Some of you might think that explains a lot about my recent behaviour.. | 1. Some news: doctors have found a cancerous tumour in my head. Some of you might think that explains a lot about my recent behaviour.. |
| 2. At @KingsCollegeNHS doing tests and expect to start treatment soon. I fought cancer off 9 years ago and I am sure I can do it again. | 2. At @KingsCollegeNHS doing tests and expect to start treatment soon. I fought cancer off 9 years ago and I am sure I can do it again. |
| Boles beat the disease nine years ago. Referencing a parody account popular with Westminster insiders, he added: | Boles beat the disease nine years ago. Referencing a parody account popular with Westminster insiders, he added: |
| 5. Giving up Twitter until I have got this thing licked. But @GeneralBoles will keep you entertained. Wish me luck! | 5. Giving up Twitter until I have got this thing licked. But @GeneralBoles will keep you entertained. Wish me luck! |
| Boles managed Michael Gove’s failed Tory leadership bid after the EU referendum and was forced to apologise after it emerged he had encouraged tactical voting because he was “seriously frightened” about Andrea Leadsom getting on to the ballot. | Boles managed Michael Gove’s failed Tory leadership bid after the EU referendum and was forced to apologise after it emerged he had encouraged tactical voting because he was “seriously frightened” about Andrea Leadsom getting on to the ballot. |
| The former skills minister quit the government when Theresa May won the contest and took over as prime minister. | The former skills minister quit the government when Theresa May won the contest and took over as prime minister. |
| A close ally of David Cameron, he was part of the informal “Notting Hill set” of modernising Tories and his work with the Policy Exchange think-tank before becoming an MP in 2010 helped frame the former PM’s agenda as leader. | A close ally of David Cameron, he was part of the informal “Notting Hill set” of modernising Tories and his work with the Policy Exchange think-tank before becoming an MP in 2010 helped frame the former PM’s agenda as leader. |
| 9.30am BST | 9.30am BST |
| 09:30 | 09:30 |
| Here is what Paddy Ashdown makes about May’s comments: | Here is what Paddy Ashdown makes about May’s comments: |
| Strange times! Our Remain Foreign Sec campaigned for Brexit to further his career & our Brexit PM supported Remain for the same reason.. | Strange times! Our Remain Foreign Sec campaigned for Brexit to further his career & our Brexit PM supported Remain for the same reason.. |
| 9.24am BST | 9.24am BST |
| 09:24 | 09:24 |
| Here is a round-up of what the rest of the media is saying about the leaked Theresa May comments on Brexit. | Here is a round-up of what the rest of the media is saying about the leaked Theresa May comments on Brexit. |
| The Telegraph’s political editor, Peter Dominiczak, writes that May “was seen as a ‘reluctant remainer’” during the run-up to the referendum and compares the comments at Goldman Sachs with those she made in a public speech. He says: | The Telegraph’s political editor, Peter Dominiczak, writes that May “was seen as a ‘reluctant remainer’” during the run-up to the referendum and compares the comments at Goldman Sachs with those she made in a public speech. He says: |
| Ahead of the vote she made a speech which offered cautious backing to staying in the EU, but with the caveat that there are “problems” associated with membership and that the UK “could cope” outside the bloc. | Ahead of the vote she made a speech which offered cautious backing to staying in the EU, but with the caveat that there are “problems” associated with membership and that the UK “could cope” outside the bloc. |
| She added at the time that the UK is “big enough and strong enough to be a success story in or out of the EU”. | She added at the time that the UK is “big enough and strong enough to be a success story in or out of the EU”. |
| Michael Savage, chief political correspondent for the Times, writes: | Michael Savage, chief political correspondent for the Times, writes: |
| While it is public knowledge that Mrs May backed the Remain campaign, the recording will come as an embarrassment. | While it is public knowledge that Mrs May backed the Remain campaign, the recording will come as an embarrassment. |
| Her remarks appear to go further than the cautious backing she gave to the Remain camp, led by David Cameron. During the referendum campaign, her lukewarm support for Remain led Mr Cameron’s communications chief Craig Oliver to wonder if she was secretly an “enemy agent” for the Brexit camp. | Her remarks appear to go further than the cautious backing she gave to the Remain camp, led by David Cameron. During the referendum campaign, her lukewarm support for Remain led Mr Cameron’s communications chief Craig Oliver to wonder if she was secretly an “enemy agent” for the Brexit camp. |
| Jon Craig, chief political correspondent for Sky News, writes: | Jon Craig, chief political correspondent for Sky News, writes: |
| Although No 10 insists Mrs May’s Goldman Sachs remarks were entirely consistent with her public statements, they strike a different tone from her comments about Brexit since becoming Prime Minister. | Although No 10 insists Mrs May’s Goldman Sachs remarks were entirely consistent with her public statements, they strike a different tone from her comments about Brexit since becoming Prime Minister. |
| At the Conservative party conference Mrs May said that she wanted to prioritise reducing immigration over being part of the single market. | At the Conservative party conference Mrs May said that she wanted to prioritise reducing immigration over being part of the single market. |
| Under the headline “What the PM really thinks of Brexit”, the Mail’s chief political correspondent, Daniel Martin, writes: | Under the headline “What the PM really thinks of Brexit”, the Mail’s chief political correspondent, Daniel Martin, writes: |
| The comments, revealed in the Guardian, are stronger than her more nuanced public position during the referendum campaign. | The comments, revealed in the Guardian, are stronger than her more nuanced public position during the referendum campaign. |
| Although she was a Remain supporter, No 10 was worried about her lukewarm support for EU membership. | Although she was a Remain supporter, No 10 was worried about her lukewarm support for EU membership. |
| Last night Downing Street said that whatever Mrs May had said before June 23, the government was committed to honouring the result of the referendum. | Last night Downing Street said that whatever Mrs May had said before June 23, the government was committed to honouring the result of the referendum. |
| The recording reveals Mrs May had numerous concerns about Britain leaving the EU. She appeared to go further than her public remarks to explain more clearly the economic benefits of staying in the EU when speaking at the bank in London on 26 May. | The recording reveals Mrs May had numerous concerns about Britain leaving the EU. She appeared to go further than her public remarks to explain more clearly the economic benefits of staying in the EU when speaking at the bank in London on 26 May. |
| Beneath a similar headline the Express writes: | Beneath a similar headline the Express writes: |
| The audio, leaked by The Guardian newspaper, will heap further pressure on Mrs May who was lacklustre in her support for the Remain campaign and has enthusiastically embraced Brexit since the June 23 vote. | The audio, leaked by The Guardian newspaper, will heap further pressure on Mrs May who was lacklustre in her support for the Remain campaign and has enthusiastically embraced Brexit since the June 23 vote. |
| She made almost no public pronouncements of note during the referendum campaign, reportedly drawing the ire of David Cameron and his Project Fear camp, who questioned his once-time close ally’s loyalty. | She made almost no public pronouncements of note during the referendum campaign, reportedly drawing the ire of David Cameron and his Project Fear camp, who questioned his once-time close ally’s loyalty. |
| Politics Home notes: | Politics Home notes: |
| The recordings reveal more about the prime minister’s personal beliefs over Brexit than her public offerings about the benefits of staying in the bloc, where she was known as a reluctant Remainer. | The recordings reveal more about the prime minister’s personal beliefs over Brexit than her public offerings about the benefits of staying in the bloc, where she was known as a reluctant Remainer. |
| Guardian front page, Wednesday 26 October 2016 – Exclusive: leaked recording reveals what May really thinks about Brexit pic.twitter.com/S7cUFcPHPb | Guardian front page, Wednesday 26 October 2016 – Exclusive: leaked recording reveals what May really thinks about Brexit pic.twitter.com/S7cUFcPHPb |
| 8.48am BST | 8.48am BST |
| 08:48 | 08:48 |
| Unsurprisingly, Theresa May is facing flak following the revelation that she warned about the economic consequences of a Brexit vote at a private meeting before the referendum. | Unsurprisingly, Theresa May is facing flak following the revelation that she warned about the economic consequences of a Brexit vote at a private meeting before the referendum. |
| My colleague Rowena Mason has written a story on the reaction to the leaked recording. It includes the following comments: | My colleague Rowena Mason has written a story on the reaction to the leaked recording. It includes the following comments: |
| Before referendum PM says access to 500m strong trading bloc essential; now won't make economy & jobs the priority! https://t.co/EaqRLxd59F | Before referendum PM says access to 500m strong trading bloc essential; now won't make economy & jobs the priority! https://t.co/EaqRLxd59F |
| My colleague Rowena Mason has written a story on the reaction to the leaked recording. | My colleague Rowena Mason has written a story on the reaction to the leaked recording. |
| Among others who have commented are: | Among others who have commented are: |
| Andrew Gwynne, the shadow minister without portfolio: | Andrew Gwynne, the shadow minister without portfolio: |
| As if we needed it, this recording is cast-iron evidence of how Theresa May and other senior Tories have been saying one thing in private about the economic impact of Brexit and another in the comfort of Tory conference halls. | As if we needed it, this recording is cast-iron evidence of how Theresa May and other senior Tories have been saying one thing in private about the economic impact of Brexit and another in the comfort of Tory conference halls. |
| It’s plain that she recognises what a disaster it would be for Britain to lose access to the single market, so why doesn’t she be honest with the British people and say how she plans to retain it | It’s plain that she recognises what a disaster it would be for Britain to lose access to the single market, so why doesn’t she be honest with the British people and say how she plans to retain it |
| PM's private Brexit views https://t.co/Qoi6lE6yzS. She was right then -it underlines why Single Market membership should be her ambition now pic.twitter.com/HM55aMhBq3 | PM's private Brexit views https://t.co/Qoi6lE6yzS. She was right then -it underlines why Single Market membership should be her ambition now pic.twitter.com/HM55aMhBq3 |
| Andrew Gwynne, the shadow minister without portfolio, said: | Andrew Gwynne, the shadow minister without portfolio, said: |
| As if we needed it, this recording is cast-iron evidence of how Theresa May and other senior Tories have been saying one thing in private about the economic impact of Brexit and another in the comfort of Tory conference halls. | As if we needed it, this recording is cast-iron evidence of how Theresa May and other senior Tories have been saying one thing in private about the economic impact of Brexit and another in the comfort of Tory conference halls. |
| It’s plain that she recognises what a disaster it would be for Britain to lose access to the single market, so why doesn’t she be honest with the British people and say how she plans to retain it. | It’s plain that she recognises what a disaster it would be for Britain to lose access to the single market, so why doesn’t she be honest with the British people and say how she plans to retain it. |
| Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader, said it was “disappointing that Theresa May lacked the political courage to warn the public as she did a bunch of bankers in private about the devastating economic effects of Brexit”. | Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader, said it was “disappointing that Theresa May lacked the political courage to warn the public as she did a bunch of bankers in private about the devastating economic effects of Brexit”. |
| He added: | He added: |
| More disappointing is that now she is supposedly in charge, she is blithely ignoring her own warnings and is prepared to inflict an act of monumental self-harm on the UK economy by pulling Britain out of the single market. | More disappointing is that now she is supposedly in charge, she is blithely ignoring her own warnings and is prepared to inflict an act of monumental self-harm on the UK economy by pulling Britain out of the single market. |
| 8.35am BST | 8.35am BST |
| 08:35 | 08:35 |
| Good morning, it’s Haroon Siddique here, standing in again for Andrew Sparrow. | Good morning, it’s Haroon Siddique here, standing in again for Andrew Sparrow. |
| Yesterday was all about Heathrow and while the fallout to that decision is likely to continue, the main story this morning is about a warning given by Theresa May at a private meeting prior to the EU referendum in which she warned that companies would leave the UK if the country voted for Brexit. | Yesterday was all about Heathrow and while the fallout to that decision is likely to continue, the main story this morning is about a warning given by Theresa May at a private meeting prior to the EU referendum in which she warned that companies would leave the UK if the country voted for Brexit. |
| On 26 May, the prime minister (who was home secretary at the time) told an audience of bankers at Goldman Sachs in London: | On 26 May, the prime minister (who was home secretary at the time) told an audience of bankers at Goldman Sachs in London: |
| I think the economic arguments are clear. I think being part of a 500-million trading bloc is significant for us. I think, as I was saying to you a little earlier, that one of the issues is that a lot of people will invest here in the UK because it is the UK in Europe. | I think the economic arguments are clear. I think being part of a 500-million trading bloc is significant for us. I think, as I was saying to you a little earlier, that one of the issues is that a lot of people will invest here in the UK because it is the UK in Europe. |
| If we were not in Europe, I think there would be firms and companies who would be looking to say, do they need to develop a mainland Europe presence rather than a UK presence? So I think there are definite benefits for us in economic terms. | If we were not in Europe, I think there would be firms and companies who would be looking to say, do they need to develop a mainland Europe presence rather than a UK presence? So I think there are definite benefits for us in economic terms. |
| The warning contrasted with her low profile during the referendum campaign, which has come in for criticism, with some believing she was hedging her bets in the event of a vote to leave. | The warning contrasted with her low profile during the referendum campaign, which has come in for criticism, with some believing she was hedging her bets in the event of a vote to leave. |
| Also in the political news today: | Also in the political news today: |
| Coming up later today are: | Coming up later today are: |
| 12pm PMQs | 12pm PMQs |
| 2pm International trade secretary Liam Fox gives evidence to the Commons European scrutiny committee. | 2pm International trade secretary Liam Fox gives evidence to the Commons European scrutiny committee. |
| 2.30pm Hilary Benn, Dominic Grieve and Douglas Carswell are among those at a Foreign Policy Centre conference on the EU. | 2.30pm Hilary Benn, Dominic Grieve and Douglas Carswell are among those at a Foreign Policy Centre conference on the EU. |
| 3.15pm Marina Wheeler QC (Boris Johnson’s wife) gives evidence on Brexit and human rights to the parliamentary human rights committee. | 3.15pm Marina Wheeler QC (Boris Johnson’s wife) gives evidence on Brexit and human rights to the parliamentary human rights committee. |
| Additionally there will be coverage of breaking political news as it happens and reaction, comment and analysis. | Additionally there will be coverage of breaking political news as it happens and reaction, comment and analysis. |
| You can get in touch with me on twitter, @Haroon_Siddique | You can get in touch with me on twitter, @Haroon_Siddique |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.41am BST | at 8.41am BST |