Patel and Tory donor attack party leadership over Brexit negotiations

THERESA MAY has been hit with fresh Conservative attacks on her leadership as she attempts to steer the UK through Brexit.

Former Cabinet Minister Priti Patel accused the Prime Minister and Chancellor Philip Hammond of “negativity” as they try to lead the country out of the EU.

Ms Patel, who quit as International Development Secretary in November over undisclosed and unauthorised meetings in Israel, told magazine the Government needed to articulate a “better vision for the future” after Brexit.

Hedge fund boss and Tory donor Crispin Odey went further and called for Mrs May to be replaced by Environment Secretary Michael Gove to lead the negotiations.

He said the Prime Minister could not make decisions and would not see Brexit through.

Their interventions come with the clock ticking over finding a workable solution to deadlock over customs and the Irish border.

Mrs Patel said the Conservatives had become “lazy” and she heard “too much relentless talking down” of Britain’s economy.

Asked if having two Remain voters at the top was part of the problem, she said: “I have to say, originally I thought it wasn’t.

“But I think it’s fair to say that there’s something in that. There is absolutely something in that. I actually resent the negativity.”

Talking about the wider Government, she added: “We are basically now at that two-year anniversary mark.

“Being bogged down in minutiae is one thing.

“But moaning about Brexit in government and saying that it’s too difficult and talking down our country I think is actually quite shameful.”