Major lashes out at ‘disgraceful bullying’ of PM by Brexiteers

TORY Brexiteers are bullying Theresa May and behaving intolerably, Sir John Major has said.

The former Prime Minister famously branded rebellious Eurosceptics during his premiership “b ****** s”, but said those making life difficult for Mrs May were even worse.

It comes another ex-PM, Tony Blair, made a fresh Brexit intervention with a plea to Labour MPs to “hold firm” against withdrawal.

Mrs May yesterday met a small group of senior ministers to update them on progress in the negotiations, and Downing Street said there were “big issues still to resolve” in talks with the EU.

In Brussels European Commission officials said there had been “no breakthrough yet”.

Cabinet minister Esther McVey — not one of those attending the meeting with Mrs May — pointedly refused to endorse the Chequers plan, although she insisted the Prime Minister had her full support.

Sir John criticised Conservative MPs who threaten to launch

Anger: Sir John Major

a no-confidence bid in the PM if she refuses to bow to their demands.

He told the BBC’s Political Thinking podcast: “I have great sympathy for her plight and I think the way she is being treated by some of her colleagues is absolutely outrageous.”

Sir John attacked the “bullying” of the PM by some in the party.

Asked about the “b ****** s” from his era, he replied: “Their behaviour was pretty intolerable, but not nearly as intolerable as the way the present Prime Minister is being treated.”

Mrs May appealed on Wednesday for MPs to come together in the national interest on Brexit.

But Mr Blair suggested Labour should vote down whatever deal she brings back to Parliament in the hope of forcing a second referendum. He said the Prime Minister was caught in a dilemma between a soft Brexit, which would not match the hopes of Leave voters, or a more decisive break from Brussels which could hit the economy.

“I would advise them to hold firm against Brexit because either of these choices are unpalatable,” he said at an event in London.

In an indication of the febrile atmosphere within the Tory ranks, an MP suggested that the process for replacing Mrs May could be completed in a matter of days.

Mark Pritchard said: “Lots of wild and loose talk about leadership moves. There is no vacancy. However, on a technical point, if a vacancy did arise process need not take more than two working weeks — four days in Commons (if needed) and six days with membership — does not need to be an overly long process.”