Project Fear all over again! Tensions rise in custom union row
because the single market and the customs union are the twin pillars of the European Union,” he said.
The Tory row erupted despite the Prime Minister repeating her pledge to lead the UK out of the single market and customs union yesterday.
She told of her “absolute determination to make a success of Brexit by leaving the customs union and building a new relationship with the EU that takes back control of our borders, our laws and our money.”
At the end of last week’s fractious Brexit sub-committee meeting, the Prime Minister ordered more work on two rival customs plans.
Eurosceptic ministers want a looser model with digital technology deployed at the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic to enforce customs rules. we start throwing the kitchen sink at him.”
Another MP said: “He is up against the ropes. There are people working out how we get to the end game.”
News of the plot follows a letter of complaint being sent to Parliament’s standards watchdog calling for an investigation of the bullying complaints – which Mr Bercow, above, has denied.
Tory MP Andrew Bridgen wrote to Parliamentary Standards Kathryn Stone to ask her to investigate whether the Speaker had breached the Commons code of conduct.
He wrote: “It appears wholly inappropriate to allow allegations against the Speaker, who has himself called for a zero-tolerance approach to the issue, to go unaddressed.”
The Speaker’s Office said: “This is a matter for the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner and Mr Speaker has no comment to make.”
Angus Sinclair, the Speaker’s former private secretary, has claimed that he was bullied by Mr Bercow.
Lieutenant-General David Leakey, who held the post of Black Rod, has accused the Speaker of “bullying and unreasonable” behaviour.
Mr Bercow has denied both their claims.
Meanwhile, Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom yesterday said: “Bullying and harassment has got no place whatsoever in the workplace.”