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Westminster today - as it happened: Ministers questioned over 'civil servant Brexit conspiracy' to keep UK in EU customs union Westminster today - as it happened: Ministers questioned over 'civil servant Brexit conspiracy' to keep UK in EU customs union
(35 minutes later)
Theresa May has meet Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, in Beijing at a time when she is battling to keep her MPs onside. Theresa May met Chinese Premier Xi Jinping in Beijing, as she battled to keep her MPs onside at home.  
The Prime Minister was hoping to make progress towards a post-Brexit trade deal with China, despite her International Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, warning that one might not be possible. Ms May gave Mr Xi a Blue Planet 2 box set, Downing Street said.The Prime Minister was hoping to make progress towards a post-Brexit trade deal with China, despite her International Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, warning that one might not be possible. Ms May gave Mr Xi a Blue Planet 2 box set, Downing Street said.
It came as Steve Baker, the Brexit minister, floated the claim in the Commons that civil servants may be distorting evidence to “influence” the Government to stay in the EU’s customs union.It came as Steve Baker, the Brexit minister, floated the claim in the Commons that civil servants may be distorting evidence to “influence” the Government to stay in the EU’s customs union.
The comments blindsided Downing Street, which said it was unaware that the allegation had been aired and declined to comment on it immediately. The comments blindsided Downing Street, which said it was unaware that the allegation had been aired and declined to immediately comment.
Alongside Mr Baker, his boss – the Brexit Secretary David Davis – visibly winced as the minister confirmed the allegation, raised by his fellow anti-EU Tory, Jacob Rees-Mogg.Alongside Mr Baker, his boss – the Brexit Secretary David Davis – visibly winced as the minister confirmed the allegation, raised by his fellow anti-EU Tory, Jacob Rees-Mogg.