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Brexit secretary David Davis steps down in blow to PM – live updates Brexit secretary David Davis steps down in blow to PM – live updates
(35 minutes later)
It’s hard to say what all this means just yet, but Theresa May’s former policy chief says the chance of a a no deal Brexit scenario “just got a lot more likely”. Davis frequently suggests No 10 has in effect agreed one thing and done another.
Whether it is the progressive dilution of what I thought was a firm Chequers agreement In February on right to diverge, or the unnecessary delays of the start of the White Paper, or the presentation of a backstop proposal that omitted the strict conditions that I requested and believed that we had agreed, the general direction of policy will leave us in at best a weak negotiating position, and possibly an inescapable one.
Some more choice words from Davis’s resignation letter. He points out that he has disagreed with No 10 “on a significant number of occasions in the last year or so” but continued under the obligation of collective ministerial responsibility in the hope of delivering the Brexit referendum mandate. “I am afraid that I think the current trend of policy and tactics is making that look less and less likely.”
Alternatively, you can all stay here with me.
Right, let's go to bed and reconvene in about 8 hours to find out who the Prime Minister is.
May takes particular issue with Davis’s suggestions that the “inevitable consequence of the proposed policies will be to make the supposed control by parliament illusory rather than real”. She says the deal will “undoubtedly” mean the returning of powers from Brussels to the UK and that MPs will get to vote on the areas where the UK chooses to apply the “common rulebook” with the EU.
Theresa May has replied to David Davis’s somewhat terse letter of resignation. Over two-and-a-half pages she sets out the case for her vision of Brexit and says she is sorry to hear of his resignation when so much progress has been made towards a “smooth and successful Brexit” and given there are just eight months before withdrawal from the EU.
Here is PM’s 3 page response to Davis punchy resignation letter: pic.twitter.com/XkMUi11iEn
Explosive stuff.
Davis says he could not be a “reluctant conscript” in selling the PM’s Brexit deal in his resignation letter.
DD letter... wow pic.twitter.com/CPh9Zlla9t
He does add:
Of course this is a complex area of judgement and it is possible that you are right and I am wrong.
We will see.
Three of the five Brexit ministers have resigned: David Davis, Steve Baker and Suella Braverman.
It’s hard to say what all this means just yet, but Theresa May’s former policy chief says the chance of a no deal Brexit scenario “just got a lot more likely”.
Hmmmmm. Not sure. Think #NoDeal just got a lot more likely. https://t.co/gKIMCKehCUHmmmmm. Not sure. Think #NoDeal just got a lot more likely. https://t.co/gKIMCKehCU
But Laura Kuenssberg, who has gone back to bed, says number 10 might take charge of Brexit negotiations from now on.But Laura Kuenssberg, who has gone back to bed, says number 10 might take charge of Brexit negotiations from now on.
One last thought, I"ll put a fiver on Number 10 taking on most of Brexit negotiation now and Dexeeu becoming a less prominent ministry now so unlikely it will be Gove - but no final decisions, lets see tmrwOne last thought, I"ll put a fiver on Number 10 taking on most of Brexit negotiation now and Dexeeu becoming a less prominent ministry now so unlikely it will be Gove - but no final decisions, lets see tmrw
Suella Braverman, another Brexit minister, has also resigned. That makes three-fifths of the Department for Exiting the European Union.Suella Braverman, another Brexit minister, has also resigned. That makes three-fifths of the Department for Exiting the European Union.
Suella Braverman gone too, so if May keeps DexEU going she'll need three new ministers there.Suella Braverman gone too, so if May keeps DexEU going she'll need three new ministers there.
There had been rumours that the foreign secretary was going to release a statement at some point on Monday. Not so, according to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg.There had been rumours that the foreign secretary was going to release a statement at some point on Monday. Not so, according to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg.
But he will be holding a press conference as part of the Western Balkans summit.But he will be holding a press conference as part of the Western Balkans summit.
Sources close to Johnson say no statement planned for tomorrow - he is helpfully however expeted to be doing a press conference as part of the Western Balkans summit later in the daySources close to Johnson say no statement planned for tomorrow - he is helpfully however expeted to be doing a press conference as part of the Western Balkans summit later in the day
Theresa May has a big day ahead of her. She is set to meet the 1922 committee of Tory backbenchers on Monday evening.Theresa May has a big day ahead of her. She is set to meet the 1922 committee of Tory backbenchers on Monday evening.
Theresa May is still meant to meet with her entire Parliamentary party tonight at 6.45pm. Today will be HUGE.Theresa May is still meant to meet with her entire Parliamentary party tonight at 6.45pm. Today will be HUGE.
Sources say Eurosceptic Tory MPs will NOT accept Michael Gove as replacement for David Davis. Lingering concerns over his behaviour towards Boris Johnson at 2016 Tory leadership contest.Sources say Eurosceptic Tory MPs will NOT accept Michael Gove as replacement for David Davis. Lingering concerns over his behaviour towards Boris Johnson at 2016 Tory leadership contest.
Meanwhile, Sky’s Lewis Goodall has spoken to Jacob Rees-Mogg, who has welcomed Davis’ resignation.Meanwhile, Sky’s Lewis Goodall has spoken to Jacob Rees-Mogg, who has welcomed Davis’ resignation.
Mogg says:Mogg says:
If the Brexit secretary cannot support them they cannot be very good proposalsIf the Brexit secretary cannot support them they cannot be very good proposals
Jacob Rees Mogg tells me: “This is very important. It raises the most serious questions about the PM’s ideas. If the Brexit Secretary cannot support them they cannot be very good proposals. It was an attempt to bounce the cabinet. It was a seriously mistake.”Jacob Rees Mogg tells me: “This is very important. It raises the most serious questions about the PM’s ideas. If the Brexit Secretary cannot support them they cannot be very good proposals. It was an attempt to bounce the cabinet. It was a seriously mistake.”
David Davis’ deputy Steve Baker has followed his boss out of the door.David Davis’ deputy Steve Baker has followed his boss out of the door.
Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns has welcomed the news.Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns has welcomed the news.
Another couragous and principled MP @SteveBakerHW steps down too, amazing news. Now let's get this party started and make #Brexit happen.Another couragous and principled MP @SteveBakerHW steps down too, amazing news. Now let's get this party started and make #Brexit happen.
Labour’s Mary Creagh writes on Twitter that this could lead to a leadership contestLabour’s Mary Creagh writes on Twitter that this could lead to a leadership contest
David Davis doesn’t even give May the courtesy of resigning during the day. Leadership contest imminent...David Davis doesn’t even give May the courtesy of resigning during the day. Leadership contest imminent...
Johnson & Grayling only 2 Leavers who have not backed May publicly this w/end. Tick tockJohnson & Grayling only 2 Leavers who have not backed May publicly this w/end. Tick tock
Here’s more on the resignation from Sky News political editor Faisal Islam:Here’s more on the resignation from Sky News political editor Faisal Islam:
Last week people that know him well thought he was going to resign, that he looked “resigned”, and that he was restrained only by the thought that if he resigned, the rest of the Dexeu team would, and thus the Government might fall at a delicate momentLast week people that know him well thought he was going to resign, that he looked “resigned”, and that he was restrained only by the thought that if he resigned, the rest of the Dexeu team would, and thus the Government might fall at a delicate moment
He says we can expect the formal resignation shortly:He says we can expect the formal resignation shortly:
Exchange of letters with PM coming “shortly”Exchange of letters with PM coming “shortly”
Meanwhile, the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg says the knives are out:Meanwhile, the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg says the knives are out:
Knives out already - one of Davis' now former colleagues says 'it's a personal outburst...he's always struggled to muscle into any of the complicated arguments...he is a puff of smoke who will blow away like a dandelion' ..but...Knives out already - one of Davis' now former colleagues says 'it's a personal outburst...he's always struggled to muscle into any of the complicated arguments...he is a puff of smoke who will blow away like a dandelion' ..but...
Things VERY febrile in Tory party - not so long ago that some pointed to DD as replacement for May - after conference last year some claimed he'd be 'PM by Christmas' - feels v unlikely he'll launch any leadership attempt but who'd predict anything these daysThings VERY febrile in Tory party - not so long ago that some pointed to DD as replacement for May - after conference last year some claimed he'd be 'PM by Christmas' - feels v unlikely he'll launch any leadership attempt but who'd predict anything these days
The Sun’s political editor Tom Newton Dunn points out that Davis’ resignation is one of many under May’s leadership.The Sun’s political editor Tom Newton Dunn points out that Davis’ resignation is one of many under May’s leadership.
In the last 8 months Theresa May's First Minister, Defence Secretary, Home Secretary, Development Secretary and now Brexit Secretary have all resigned. Normally Prime Ministers don't survive that.In the last 8 months Theresa May's First Minister, Defence Secretary, Home Secretary, Development Secretary and now Brexit Secretary have all resigned. Normally Prime Ministers don't survive that.
Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns, who quit a junior government role earlier this year to “fight for Brexit” and has threatened to vote against Theresa May’s plans for exiting the European Union, also tweeted her approval of Mr Davis’ resignation.Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns, who quit a junior government role earlier this year to “fight for Brexit” and has threatened to vote against Theresa May’s plans for exiting the European Union, also tweeted her approval of Mr Davis’ resignation.
Fantastic news. Well done David Davis for having the principal and guts to resign. I take my hat off to you. We need to make sure this is now a game changer for #Brexit.Fantastic news. Well done David Davis for having the principal and guts to resign. I take my hat off to you. We need to make sure this is now a game changer for #Brexit.
Leading Brexiter MP Peter Bone has welcome the resignation:Leading Brexiter MP Peter Bone has welcome the resignation:
David Davis has done the right thing, a principled and brave decision. The PMs proposals for a Brexit in name only are not acceptable.David Davis has done the right thing, a principled and brave decision. The PMs proposals for a Brexit in name only are not acceptable.
Meanwhile, Brussels waits and watches...Meanwhile, Brussels waits and watches...
News that David Davis has resigned will be flying around EU diplomatic circles as fast as across U.K. #brexitNews that David Davis has resigned will be flying around EU diplomatic circles as fast as across U.K. #brexit
We have another resignation, maybe.We have another resignation, maybe.
The Telegraph’s chief political correspondent says Brexit minister Steve Baker has resigned, too.The Telegraph’s chief political correspondent says Brexit minister Steve Baker has resigned, too.
BREAKING Steve Baker, Brexit minister, has quit the Government, sources say.BREAKING Steve Baker, Brexit minister, has quit the Government, sources say.
Daily Express writer Sarah O’Grady, who is married to David Davis’ chief of staff Stewart Jackson and was among the first to break the news, has been tweeting about the reasons behind his resignation.Daily Express writer Sarah O’Grady, who is married to David Davis’ chief of staff Stewart Jackson and was among the first to break the news, has been tweeting about the reasons behind his resignation.
She says Davis “decided he couldn’t sell out his own country” and was upset that the prime minister discussed the policy with the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, before talking to her ministers.She says Davis “decided he couldn’t sell out his own country” and was upset that the prime minister discussed the policy with the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, before talking to her ministers.
Discussing Chequers policy with Merkel before Cabinet colleagues was bonkers. And relying on unelected civil servants with no political debt to electorate, double bonkers. https://t.co/ZqA5ZBFdEdDiscussing Chequers policy with Merkel before Cabinet colleagues was bonkers. And relying on unelected civil servants with no political debt to electorate, double bonkers. https://t.co/ZqA5ZBFdEd
More worryingly for Theresa May, O’Grady suggests that there could be a major challenge to May’s leadership.More worryingly for Theresa May, O’Grady suggests that there could be a major challenge to May’s leadership.
Interesting- and heavier than usual - post bag for 1922 committee chair Graham Brady tomorrow? #48lettersInteresting- and heavier than usual - post bag for 1922 committee chair Graham Brady tomorrow? #48letters
The Brexit secretary David Davis has resigned from the government.The Brexit secretary David Davis has resigned from the government.
The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg says he is taking at least one more minister with him.The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg says he is taking at least one more minister with him.
Buckle up, everyone.Buckle up, everyone.
Davis is taking at least one minister with himDavis is taking at least one minister with him