Davis plays down rifts in Cabinet over split

Same outcome sought by PM and Chancellor – claim

Brexit Secretary David Davis has played down Cabinet rifts over Europe, insisting there is “no difference” between himself, Chancellor Philip Hammond and Theresa May on the outcome they are seeking from Britain’s EU withdrawal.

Mr Hammond earned a rebuke from Downing Street on Thursday by saying that Britain’s trade relations with the EU would change only “very modestly” after Brexit.

The Chancellor risked stoking Tory divisions further yesterday by saying the UK should seek a “middle way” in negotiations in order to maximise access to EU markets.

His comments came as prominent Brexiteer Jacob Rees-mogg, chairman of the influential European Research Group, warned that the Government’s

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Of course we will leave the institutions of the Union next March, but we will still make our voice heard.

BREXIT SECRETARY DAVID DAVIS

“timid and cowering” approach risked squandering the potential gains of leaving the EU.

Mr Davis used a speech in Teesport to try to quell unease in Tory ranks, asserting that the UK will be able to negotiate and sign trade deals with outside countries during the two-year transition period expected to follow the official date of Brexit in March 2019.

The Brexit Secretary made clear he will argue for Britain to continue to enjoy the benefits of more than 750 international agreements, including trade deals with non-eu countries, during the transition period.

And in a bid to allay Eurosceptic concerns over Britain being required to follow EU rules while having no say in drawing them up, he said he will seek the establishment of an “appropriate process” for the UK to object to any new laws introduced during transition.

“Of course we will leave the institutions of the Union next March, but we will still make our voice heard,” said Mr Davis.

“This will be a relationship where respect flows both ways, as we move from being a member of the European Union to its closest partner.”