May urged to distance herself from think tank

The government has been urged to distance itself from a think tank that has been accused of leading the UK to a “disastrous no-deal Brexit”.

It comes after the Legatum Institute was linked to a letter Michael Gove and Boris Johnson sent to Theresa May urging her to take a tougher stance on Brexit. Reports in a Sunday newspaper also suggested the institute had links to Russia, which Legatum branded “patently false, completely unsubstantiated and frankly, laughable”.

Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said: “It is clear the government is extremely sensitive about their very close relationship with the Legatum Institute, which is the Brexit proponent-in-chief.

“There have been six meetings with them in a year.

“Ministers must distance themselves from a ‘think tank’ whose agenda is leading the UK to a disastrous no-deal Brexit that would inflict permanent damage on UK families and jobs.”

Labour MP Paul Flynn wrote on Twitter: “Putin fomenting EU discord through Brexit, Boris & Gove plus, the Mail claims, the Legatum Institute. Referendum rigged with roubles?”

The Legatum Institute has published a 1,300word statement on its website rebutting the Mail on Sunday article.