Tory rebels set to side with Corbyn over customs union

DIEHARD Tory Remainers last night threatened to side with Labour to force Britain to stay tied to the EU forever.

Rebels led by ex-minister Anna Soubry say at least 15 MPs are ready to vote to stay in the customs union, making it impossible to strike independent trade deals.

She has tabled an amendment to the Government’s Trade Bill which would explicitly force Britain ‘to participate after exit day in a customs union with the EU’.

On Monday Jeremy Corbyn is expected to confirm a major U-turn by commiting Labour to staying in the customs union too, raising the spectre of an alliance with Tory rebels, the SNP and the Liberal Democrats that could defeat the Government. Senior Tories believe losing such a key vote could bring an end to Theresa May’s regime and potentially put the Labour leader in No 10.

Brexiteer Tory Michael Fabricant accused the rebels of a ‘total betrayal’ of the referendum result.

‘It will result in Brexit in name, but not in reality,’ he said.

The Soubry amendment has already been signed by Tory Remain MPs Nicky Morgan, Sarah Wollaston, Jonathan Djanogly, Stephen Hammond and Heidi Allen.

Ex-attorney general Dominic Grieve yesterday said he would also back the move.