Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
40 TORY MPS SAY THE PM MUST GO
THERESA May faces a fresh plot by 40 Tory MPS to oust her from Downing Street.
In the wake of the sexual harassment scandal and the deadlock over Brexit, the group of rebels has agreed to sign a letter of no confidence in her.
That is just eight short of the total number needed to trigger a party leadership contest.
The move comes as EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said he was planning for the possible collapse of Brexit negotiations.
He was speaking days after giving the UK a two-week deadline to clarify issues.
Mrs May was further embarrassed yesterday after a secret letter from Boris Johnson and Michael Gove emerged – giving her instructions on how to run Brexit.
Transition arrangements for an exit from the European Union must end on June 30, 2021, her ministers demanded.
In the letter marked “For your and Gavin’s eyes only”, a reference to her chief of staff, Gavin Barwell, they urge her to ensure members of her top team fall behind their plans. A senior Government source said the Foreign and Environment Secretaries had conducted a “soft coup” and described the PM as “their Downing Street hostage”.
No10 said it did not comment on leaks and neither Mr Johnson or Mr Gove commented.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called for Mrs May to “govern or go”. He said: “Continuing uncertainty about the Government’s approach to Brexit is the biggest risk facing our country.” Discussing the likelihood of talks collapsing, Mr Barnier told a French newspaper: “It’s not my option, but it’s a possibility.” Brexit Secretary David Davis said he was “quite certain” Mrs May would remain in Downing Street throughout Brexit, adding he would be “very surprised” if EU leaders are preparing for the fall of her government, after Cabinet ministers Sir Michael Fallon and Priti Patel quit.
But SNP Foreign Affairs and Europe spokesman Stephen Gethins MP said Mrs May was “Prime Minister only by title”.