Weary Downing Street considering customs union surrender

Theresamaycouldbowtoparliamentary pressure to keep Britain in a customs union with the European Union after Brexit, it has been claimed.

Reports suggest the Prime Minister and her team are having a rethink following a defeat in the House of Lords and warnings that a number of Tory MPS will vote in favour of membership in the Commons.

One senior Downing Street aide told the Sunday Times that in a meeting last month it was said that Mrs May and her top team “will not be crying into our beer” if Parliament forces the government’s hand on the issue.

A U-turn would be hugely controversial with senior members of the cabinet, risking the resignations of International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, as well as a possible leadership challenge against Mrs May.

Justice Secretary David Gauke rejected reports of a climbdown, telling the BBC’S Andrew Marr show: “We can make that case to Parliament [for leaving the customs union].

“I think we can win that case. I think we have got to win that case and that is my determination.”

A Downing Street source said Mrs May would continue to argue for Britain to leave the customs union, adding: “Governmentpolicyhasn’tchanged – we are leaving the customs union.” 0 Theresa May insists that policy hasn’t changed