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David Davis steps down as Brexit secretary in blow to PM – live updates David Davis steps down as Brexit secretary in blow to PM – live updates
(35 minutes later)
Jacob Rees-Mogg has told Reuters that Davis’s resignation was “crucially important” because it showed the extent of concerns about the Chequers agreement. “If the Brexit secretary could not support them they cannot genuinely be delivering Brexit,” he said.
Well done @DavidDavisMP. May's response shows that she is controlled by the civil service. For Brexit to succeed we must get rid of this awful, duplicitous PM. https://t.co/Mmq4jboCpi
A potential collector’s item here:
PM @Theresa_May and Brexit Secretary @DavidDavisMP today signed commemorative copies of the EU (Withdrawal) Act for each of the ministers who worked on this crucial piece of Brexit legislation. pic.twitter.com/mPJ3X9TnKR
David Davis, the UK’s Brexit secretary, has resigned from the cabinet following Friday’s summit at Chequers.David Davis, the UK’s Brexit secretary, has resigned from the cabinet following Friday’s summit at Chequers.
In his resignation letter he blamed the “dilution” of what he said was a firm Chequers agreement, delays to the White Paper, and omissions from the “backstop” customs proposal that would leave the UK in a “weak negotiating position” at best. He says his role requires an “enthusiastic believer” in May’s approach rather than a “reluctant conscript”.In his resignation letter he blamed the “dilution” of what he said was a firm Chequers agreement, delays to the White Paper, and omissions from the “backstop” customs proposal that would leave the UK in a “weak negotiating position” at best. He says his role requires an “enthusiastic believer” in May’s approach rather than a “reluctant conscript”.
He was followed by deputy, Steve Baker, and another Brexit minister Suella Braverman.He was followed by deputy, Steve Baker, and another Brexit minister Suella Braverman.
Theresa May responded with a letter voicing her sorrow that he is leaving just eight months before the UK’s official withdrawal from the EU. She said she disagreed with his characterisation of what was agreed at Chequers on Friday, saying powers would be returned to the UK from Brussels and that MPs would get to vote on areas where the idea of a “common rulebook” with the EU would be applied.Theresa May responded with a letter voicing her sorrow that he is leaving just eight months before the UK’s official withdrawal from the EU. She said she disagreed with his characterisation of what was agreed at Chequers on Friday, saying powers would be returned to the UK from Brussels and that MPs would get to vote on areas where the idea of a “common rulebook” with the EU would be applied.
Vocal pro-Brexit MPs welcomed Davis’s move, with Andrea Jenkyns saying the next move was to make this a “game changer for Brexit” and calling for Boris Johnson to act.Vocal pro-Brexit MPs welcomed Davis’s move, with Andrea Jenkyns saying the next move was to make this a “game changer for Brexit” and calling for Boris Johnson to act.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the pro-Brexit European Research Group faction, said the prime minister “would be well advised to reconsider” the Brexit vision she believed she had secured at Friday’s Cabinet summit at Chequers.Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the pro-Brexit European Research Group faction, said the prime minister “would be well advised to reconsider” the Brexit vision she believed she had secured at Friday’s Cabinet summit at Chequers.
Andrea Leadsom has written a comment piece urging people to back the vision hammered out at Chequers. But it seems it’s back to square one.Andrea Leadsom has written a comment piece urging people to back the vision hammered out at Chequers. But it seems it’s back to square one.
“With the prime minister’s specific reassurances to me, around the UK parliament having a say on any tweaks to trade rules, I have given her my backing. Because the fact is, getting the cabinet to agree is one thing. Getting the EU to agree is quite another.”“With the prime minister’s specific reassurances to me, around the UK parliament having a say on any tweaks to trade rules, I have given her my backing. Because the fact is, getting the cabinet to agree is one thing. Getting the EU to agree is quite another.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the powerful European Research Group faction within the Tory ranks, earlier told BBC Radio 5 Live that Davis’s resignation should force May to reconsider her approach. “And I think without David Davis there, without his imprimatur, it will be very difficult for them [May’s Brexit proposals] to get the support of Conservative MPs and therefore the prime minister would be well advised to reconsider them.”Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the powerful European Research Group faction within the Tory ranks, earlier told BBC Radio 5 Live that Davis’s resignation should force May to reconsider her approach. “And I think without David Davis there, without his imprimatur, it will be very difficult for them [May’s Brexit proposals] to get the support of Conservative MPs and therefore the prime minister would be well advised to reconsider them.”
The triple resignation throws the spotlight onto who will fill Davis’s seat, and the next moves for the likes of Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Jacob Rees-Mogg among others.The triple resignation throws the spotlight onto who will fill Davis’s seat, and the next moves for the likes of Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Jacob Rees-Mogg among others.
Johnson apparently spoke “passionately” in favour of making May’s soft Brexit deal work after initially saying its defenders were “polishing a turd”. Whichever path he choses now, his stock has suffered after failing to resign over the Heathrow vote and his “fuck business” Brexit outburst.Johnson apparently spoke “passionately” in favour of making May’s soft Brexit deal work after initially saying its defenders were “polishing a turd”. Whichever path he choses now, his stock has suffered after failing to resign over the Heathrow vote and his “fuck business” Brexit outburst.
Gove has been described by Downing Street insiders as “instrumental” in persuading leave cabinet ministers to back May’s plan. But that achievement has now vanished.Gove has been described by Downing Street insiders as “instrumental” in persuading leave cabinet ministers to back May’s plan. But that achievement has now vanished.
Pro-Brexit MPs feeling disillusioned after Chequers might now corral even more closely around Rees-Mogg.Pro-Brexit MPs feeling disillusioned after Chequers might now corral even more closely around Rees-Mogg.
Time will tell.Time will tell.
People’s Vote to put Brexit out of its misery a big step closer after DD’s resignation. Now the Brexiters holding Mrs May hostage are falling out, there isn’t a majority for ANY withdrawal treaty in ParliamentPeople’s Vote to put Brexit out of its misery a big step closer after DD’s resignation. Now the Brexiters holding Mrs May hostage are falling out, there isn’t a majority for ANY withdrawal treaty in Parliament
David Davis tops the Guardian’s late edition to cap off a day of extraordinary news.David Davis tops the Guardian’s late edition to cap off a day of extraordinary news.
The Times calls it the “worst crisis since she [Theresa May] lost her government majority”. That happened just over a year ago but may feel for some much longer than that.The Times calls it the “worst crisis since she [Theresa May] lost her government majority”. That happened just over a year ago but may feel for some much longer than that.
Monday's front page: Davis triggers cabinet crisis with resignation. Plus: Murder inquiry launched after Amesbury novichok victim dies. More: https://t.co/n3175DVo7c pic.twitter.com/W9LTEOF5tiMonday's front page: Davis triggers cabinet crisis with resignation. Plus: Murder inquiry launched after Amesbury novichok victim dies. More: https://t.co/n3175DVo7c pic.twitter.com/W9LTEOF5ti
Davis was one of three leading pro-Brexit ministers brought back into government by May. Foreign secretary Boris Johnson and trade minister Liam Fox joined him to make up “the three Brexiteers”. No public word yet from either Johnson or Fox on Sunday night’s revelations.
David Davis threatening to resign has cropped up in political reporting repeatedly since he took up his post in 2016. This from last month:
From today's @FinancialTimes #BrexitMeltdown #DavidDavis pic.twitter.com/ec9pdt2WjF
David Davis resigning at such a crucial time shows @Theresa_May has no authority left and is incapable of delivering Brexit. With her Government in chaos, if she clings on, it's clear she's more interested in hanging on for her own sake than serving the people of our country.
This report by Pippa Crerar gives a sense of the anger, mounting to the point of talk of a vote of no confidence.
Since Friday, several Tory MPs were said to have added their names to a list supporting a vote of no confidence, although senior party sources indicated that they did not expect them to reach the 48 required.
Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns said she would “100%” submit a letter to the backbench 1922 committee to trigger a contest. “I’d put the letter in if these red lines were severely watered down and we had one foot in, one foot out,” she said.
Andrew Bridgen, MP for North West Leicestershire, added: “I can’t support the offer which emerged at Chequers – I think it’s a breach of the red lines … Obviously if the government and the prime minister continue to support that very poor offer then I won’t have any confidence in [them].”
One senior pro-Brexit source told the Guardian: “It’s terminal. We think this is going to lead to a bigger split than Maastricht, on a more serious issue, with a smaller majority, and it’s not Tony Blair that lies on the other side of all of this, it’s Jeremy Corbyn. We think it’s an absolute disaster.”
To give you an idea of the week ahead (and beyond a little bit):
May was originally expected to make a statement on Monday morning, urging one and all to unite behind her Brexit plans, saying: “This is the right Brexit.” Previously released excerpts did sagaciously refer to “robust views echoing round the cabinet table as they have on breakfast tables up and down our country”. That statement might now take a different flavour.
Further Whitehall briefings on the Chequers plan were also scheduled for Monday morning.
The accompanying White Paper is due to be published on Thursday.
Pro-Brexit Donald Trump flies to the UK on Thursday.
The House of Commons is scheduled to go into recess a week on Friday, aka 20 July.
The atmosphere among some in the Tory party can reasonably be said to be febrile, and possibly also World Cup-related.
Come on we need a hat-trick! @BorisJohnson let's be having you! Time for true #Brexiteers to make it happen.
Theresa May’s Chequers blueprint has been savaged by business leaders and prominent Leavers over the weekend, building up to the spectacular events of Sunday night. As Toby Helm and Jennifer Rankin reported, more than 100 entrepreneurs and founders of UK businesses dismissed it as unworkable. The major issue is the new “facilitated customs arrangement” that would ideally remove the need for a hard border in Ireland, and the creation of a UK-EU free trade area, in which the UK would abide by a “common rule book” of EU regulations.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Tory MP and leader of the European Research Group (ERG) of hardline Brexiters, questioned whether signing up to elements of the EU rulebook would amount to Brexit at all, adding that “it is possible that this deal is worse” than a “no-deal” Brexit.
With a Prime Minister incapable of holding her ministerial team together & with such instability in government it’s impossible to see how EU leaders could take Theresa May seriously in the next round of negotiations. It’s time for her & her party to put country before party & go.
And May’s lengthier response. In the interests of balance, I should point out that the prime minister does devote half a page to praising Davis for, among other things, his “expertise and counsel” and his work steering through parliament “some of the most important legislation for generations”.
Here is a hopefully easy-to-read version of David Davis’s letter of resignation: