Lidington and Gove deny they will take over at top after coup

Pair linked to speculation of becoming ‘caretaker leaders’ say they have no interest in the role

TWO ministers at the centre of a possible coup attempt to remove Theresa May and replace her as a “caretaker” leader last night publicly declared their loyalty to Mrs May.

Remain Cabinet ministers including Greg Clark, Amber Rudd and David Gauke were yesterday said to be supportive of a bid to install David Lidington, the Prime Minister’s de facto deputy, in her place.

However, other Cabinet ministers backed appointing Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, as a caretaker prime minister amid concerns about Mr Lidington’s pro-european stance.

Under the plans, Mrs May would be expected to resign and Mr Gove and Mr Lidington would act as interim leaders during the Article 50 extension period.

However, both said they had no interest in the role after a furious backlash from Tory MPS and Cabinet ministers.

One Cabinet minister said: “It’s a stupid idea dreamt up by stupid people who think they are incredibly clever.

“This is where we see the division between people who are the Metropolitan elite element in Cabinet who think they are born to rule and the rest that think we have to get on with the job of delivering Brexit.”

Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader, went further and called for those behind the plot to be sacked.

He said: “If there is to be a leadership change, that leadership change has to be done through the correct process, with the membership deciding who will be their leader, not some ghastly five or six man and woman cabal that decides things internally.

“These people right now in Cabinet who happily take the privileges, happily take the money, who have trashed collective responsibility – they need to be held to account.”

Mr Gove said he “absolutely” supported the Prime Minister and added: “It’s not the time to change the captain of the ship.”

He told The Andrew Marr Show on BBC One: “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.”

Mr Lidington, speaking in his Buckinghamshire constituency, said: “I don’t think that I’ve any wish to take over from the Prime Minister, 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.”

One Cabinet minister said that the attempt to appoint a caretaker prime minister would only have worked if it was “bloodless” and Mrs May opted to resign.

Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, insisted that ousting Mrs May would not “solve the problem”.

“To be talking about changing the players on the board is, frankly, self-indulgent at this time,” Mr Hammond told the presenter of the Sophy Ridge on Sunday show on Sky News yesterday.

“This is not about the Prime Minister or any other individual, this is about the future of our country,” he continued.

“Changing the 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.”

‘It’s a stupid idea dreamt up by stupid people who think they are incredibly clever’