Rudd claims a no-deal Brexit is ‘unthinkable’

Brexit: Home secretary insists there will be a deal between the EU and the UK on security

It is “unthinkable” the UK will walk away from talks with Brussels without a deal at least covering security cooperation, Home Secretary Amber Rudd said – appearing to contradict Brexit Secretary David Davis.

Mr Davis told MPS although the Government was “straining every sinew” to secure a comprehensive deal covering the future relationship with the EU it was vital that in a negotiation you “have to have the right to walk away”.

But Ms Rudd insisted there would be agreement on the issue of security cooperation, stressing it was in the interests of both the UK and the remaining 27 EU members to reach a deal.

Prime Minister Theresa May put forward plans for a treaty on security cooperation in her Florence speech on Brexit.

Asked about speculation the UK could walk away without a Brexit deal “of any form” Ms Rudd told the home affairs select committee: “I think it is unthinkable that there would be no deal.

“It is so much in their interest as well as in ours – in their communities’, in their families’, in their tourists’ interests to have something in place.

“We will make sure there is something between them and us to maintain our security.”

Ms Rudd was a high-profile campaigner for the Remain cause during the Brexit referendum and her comments are likely to cause concern among arch-eurosceptics on the Tory benches who believe the UK should retain the option of cutting ties with Brussels without any form of deal.

A Number 10 spokeswoman said: “I think if you look at her words in full, she’s referring to the fact that a deal is in the best interests of both sides and that’s something the Prime Minister absolutely agrees with.”

Mrs May made a flying visit to Brussels on Monday night for talks with European Commission president Jean-claude Juncker where they agreed to “accelerate” efforts to find a Brexit deal, but there was little sign of tangible progress.

Following a working dinner, the PM and Mr Juncker said in a joint statement their meeting had been “constructive and friendly”.

However, there was no indication the commission’s side was ready to revise its view that the talks still had not made sufficient progress for them to move forward to the second phase.

Mrs May will get the chance to address EU leaders on Brexit at the European Council summit this week, Downing Street and the European Commission confirmed.

The PM will not attend a Friday working session of the other 27 leaders on the negotiations but “there will be a moment at 28”, commission chief spokesman Margaritis Schinas said.

Meanwhile, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier dismissed the suggestion Europe was dragging its feet over the Brexit process.

He told a Luxembourg press conference: “If you take a look at the timetable, take a look at the date of the Brexit referendum, the date when we received Theresa May’s letter which triggered the negotiating process almost a year later and then we had to await the general election to allow us to begin at the end of June.”

Getty. Home Secretary Amber Rudd appeared to contradict David Davis.