Ministers dismiss ‘coup’ speculation
TWO Cabinet ministers who are said to be in line to take over from Theresa May have dismissed reports of a Cabinet coup to oust her.
Michael Gove and David Lidington both restated their backing for the Prime Minister after speculation of a plot to force her to resign reached fever pitch.
The Environment Secretary said it was “not the time to change the captain of the ship”, while the PM’S de facto deputy said he had no desire to take over the reins.
Chancellor Philip Hammond accused those allegedly trying to topple Mrs May of being “”self-indulgent”, while former party leader Iain Duncan Smith told ministers who briefed against the Prime Minister to apologise and “shut up”.
Meanwhile, Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay warned the risk of a general election would increase if MPS took control of parliamentary proceedings this week and brought about a “constitutional collision”.
Mrs May was understood to be meeting prominent Brexiteers at her country residence, Chequers, yesterday afternoon, before convening a meeting of the Cabinet today. Among those reportedly attending talks were ministers Mr Lidington, Mr Gove and Mr Barclay, along with chief whip Julian Smith and Eurosceptics Mr Duncan Smith, Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-mogg and Dominic Raab.
The Sunday Times claimed 11 Cabinet ministers wanted Mrs May to make way for someone else and Mr Lidington was in line to take over the helm.
But the Mail on Sunday reported ministers were plotting to install the Environment Secretary as a caretaker leader.
Mr Gove said: “I think this is a time for cool heads. But we absolutely do need to focus on the task at hand and that’s making sure that we get the maximum possible support for the Prime Minister and her deal.” He added: “It’s not the time to change the captain of the ship, I think what we need to do is to chart the right course.”
Mr Lidington, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: “I don’t think that I’ve any wish to take over from the PM who I think is doing a fantastic job.
“I tell you this – one thing that working closely with the Prime Minister does is cure you completely of any lingering shred of ambition to want to do that task.
“I have absolute admiration for the way she is going about it.”
Despite heavy criticism of Mrs May’s handling of the Brexit process and calls from members of her party to stand aside, the Chancellor insisted ousting her would not “solve the problem”.
“To be talking about changing the players on the board frankly is self-indulgent at this time,” Mr Hammond said.
“This is not about the Prime Minister or any other individual, this is about the future of our country. Changing Prime Minister wouldn’t help us, changing the party in Government wouldn’t help us – we’ve got to address the question of what type of Brexit is acceptable to Parliament.”