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Brexit today - live updates: First Government minister raises prospect of reversing EU withdrawal | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A Government minister has questioned whether Brexit should go ahead if damaging assessments of Britain’s economic prospects are accurate. | |
In a highly unusual and hugely significant intervention, Conservative Philip Lee asked whether Theresa May could “legitimately lead a country along a path that the evidence and rational consideration indicate would be damaging” after leaked papers laid bare the potential economic damage of withdrawal. | |
The documents indicate the UK will be worse off outside the European Union than it would if it stayed in, irrespective of whether or not a trade deal is struck. | |
Mrs May, who is currently on a trip to China aimed at forging economic ties, has promised she will publish the analysis so that Parliament is “fully informed” before voting on the deal. | |
It comes as peers in the Lords debate the EU (Withdrawal) Bill for a second day. Over 90 Lords are lined up to speak, and proceedings could go beyond 10pm. | |
Meanwhile, Labour’s Emily Thornberry is expected to face Cabinet minister David Lidington at Prime Minister’s Questions later today. | |
The Prime Minister arrived in Beijing for her three-day visit on Wednesday morning. | |