Tory ally backs Hammond on no-deal risk
A SENIOR Cabinet minister sided with Philip Hammond yesterday as the Tory splits on leaving the EU widened.
Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington defended the Chancellor for warning a no-deal exit would cause major economic damage.
Brexit-backing Tories blasted Mr Hammond for saying borrowing would be £80billion a year higher if Britain left with no agreement.
They accused him of spouting “dodgy Project Fear” warnings drawn up on the back of “fag packet”. Jacob Rees-Mogg claimed the Chancellor was “desperate to stop Brexit”.
But Mr Lidington told the BBC there was “nothing new” in the Chancellor’s analysis.
Mr Hammond’s warnings came just hours after Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab played down the dangers of a no deal.
The Chancellor said failure to reach a deal could wipe 10% off the UK’s national income.
Meanwhile, a poll for Sky News found 69% surveyed believe we will get a bad deal.