Brexit head Davis quits

LONDON: UK Brexit Secretary David Davis and his deputy Steve Baker have quit the Government, reports yesterday said, in what threatens to be a major blow to Prime Minister Theresa May’s authority.

The resignations come just two days after May secured the backing of her Cabinet for a plan to keep close ties to the European Union after leaving the bloc. Davis and Baker, both longstanding Eurosceptics, decided they could not support the policy, a person familiar with the matter said.The pound weakened slightly on the news.

Davis, Baker and other proBrexit members of May’s Conservative Party feel Britain should have a clean break from the bloc and make its own laws. The resignations may embolden lawmakers to move against May. — Bloomberg News