Michael Gove denies floating the option of copying Norway with Brexit backstop

Michael Gove has denied reports he privately discussed a Norway-style Brexit backstop in the event that Theresa May’s Chequers strategy fails.

It has been reported the Eurosceptic environment secretary talked of “parking” the UK in the European Economic Area (EEA) like Norway to avoid the chaos of a disorderly no-deal exit.

Mr Gove was said to have raised the possibility at a private dinner with about 20 Tory MPS and peers on 25 June.

But the potential move has been ruled out by Mrs May’s red lines and would incense hardline Brexiteers, who could bring down the Prime Minister if she heads in that direction.

Asked if he had devised a plan to stay in the EEA at the private dinner with a number of Conservative MPS in June, Mr Gove said: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Sources close to Mr Gove poured cold water on the reports, suggesting he was playing devil’s advocate from the EU’S point of view and was “fully behind the Chequers plan” and “fully behind the Prime Minister taking that plan to the EU”.

It was confirmed the environment secretary was at the dinner and spoke about the EEA option, but the conversation was reportedly about what EU negotiators were likely to put forward.