Plan called ‘preposterous’

LONDON: As the Tory Party conference began yesterday in the UK, the deepening rift over Brexit was exposed with Boris Johnson branding the PM’s plan ‘‘preposterous’’ and ‘‘deranged’’.

Johnson has lobbed a political hand grenade at British Prime Minister Theresa May as the Tory party conference began, branding her Brexit plan ‘‘deranged’’ and ‘‘preposterous’’.

The former foreign secretary’s incendiary comments came as May set out plans aimed at bolstering her position, announcing measures to crack down on foreigners buying homes and proposals for a nationwide festival in 2022 — the year of the next scheduled general election.

In remarks that will fuel speculation about Johnson’s leadership ambitions, he highlighted a key distinction between himself and May: ‘‘Unlike the Prime Minister, I campaigned for

Brexit.’’

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Johnson said the UK should build a bridge to Ireland and put the HS2 rail line on hold to focus on a highspeed link in the north of England.

He branded May’s call for a facilitated customs arrangement ‘‘entirely preposterous’’. Suggesting he may be able to strike a better deal than May, he told the newspaper: ‘‘Unlike the Prime Minister, I fought for this, I believe in it, I think it’s the right thing for our country and I think that what is happening now is, alas, not what people were promised in 2016.’’

The former cabinet minister said: ‘‘I think we need to make the case for markets. ‘‘I don’t think we should caper insincerely on socialist territory.’’