Close call for former Brexit minister as parachute fails in holiday skydive

Former Brexit minister Steve Baker got more adrenaline than he bargained for when his parachute failed to open while skydiving on holiday.

The Tory MP, who quit as a Brexit minister last month, went into a “fast spiral dive” and had to rely on his reserve parachute.

He had to perform an emergency landing and came down on a golf course, next to the club house in the Algarve, Portugal.

Mr Baker revealed the close shave with a beaming smile in an Instagram post on Sunday.

He said: “Pleased my reserve 0 Steve Baker’s main parachute failed in the jump

parachute, here in white, worked as advertised after a main malfunction last week.

“Emergency landing on nearby golf course perfect, next to clubhouse.

“Wished you were there etc.”

Mr Baker said the problem started after the left steering toggle jammed.

He said: “After two attempts to release the toggle, I took the reserve.”

Despite the close shave, Mr Baker insisted the dive was “awesome”.

The near-miss comes as Mr Baker reportedly prepares to challenge Prime Minister Theresa May by joining other Tory Brexiteers in publishing a “positive” blueprint for a hard Brexit.

The Brexit-backing European Research Group, a pressure group Mr Baker used to lead, plans to publish its manifesto before the Tory party conference next month.