Blair and Mandelson in ‘cancel Brexit plot’

TONY Blair and Peter Mandelson are reported to be masterminding a Remainer plot in a last ditch bid to stop Brexit as the Lib Dem conference voted to revoke Article 50.

The pair are believed to be “pulling the strings” behind the scenes of an alliance of MPs determined to keep Britain in the European Union.

If a deal cannot be agreed between PM Boris Johnson and EU leaders by the October 31 Brexit date, the Government has been warned that some MPs will try to force through new legislation.

A source said: “The PM will not negotiate a delay at the Brussels council. We expect there to be a major court battle immediately after the 19th and attempts to pass legislation revoking Article 50, which the Prime Minister will refuse to consider in any circumstances.”

Puppet

Former prime minister Mr Blair and Mr Mandelson, his fellow architect of New Labour, are believed to be giving secret advice to the cross-party alliance.

A source said: “Blair and Mandelson are pulling the strings. Mandelson is the puppet master, he has had meetings via proxy with all the parties involved in the Remain alliance and sends emails with ideas. Blair’s people have been speaking to [Lib Dem leader] Jo Swinson’s people.”

Mr Johnson will also face a three-day legal challenge this week over his decision to prorogue Parliament.

The Supreme Court decision could see MPs returning to work in the first week of October.

New concerns have emerged over the conduct of outgoing Commons Speaker John Bercow.

He has suggested that Britons would much prefer “an arrangement that is orderly by comparison with an unsolicited and not desired sudden ejection”.

The comments are in potential breach of Commons rules, which state that the Speaker “must remain politically impartial at all times”.