Brady ‘could back’ May’s Withdrawl Agreement

THERESA MAY has received a Brexit boost as the head of the influential 1922 Committee of backbench Tories signalled support for her stance.

Sir Graham Brady indicated he could swing behind the Prime Minister’s Withdrawal Agreement ahead of Commons votes as he expressed optimism about a breakthrough over the Northern Ireland backstop.

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Sir Graham said: “The whole country is tired of vacillation and delay. When the right compromise is offered, we should pull together behind the Prime Minister and help her to deliver our exit from the European Union on March 29.”

Many Brexiteers have expressed opposition to the backstop as it would leave the UK obeying EU customs rules if no wider trade deal is agreed. Sir Graham, who branded the Government’s handling of the Brexit negotiations as “lions led by donkeys”, indicated there was a growing mood for a deal in the Commons.

He said: “My conversations with senior diplomats and politicians from across Europe have given me cause for optimism that a breakthrough is near.”

The comments came as it was reported the hardline European Research Group (ERG) of Tory MPs has drawn up “three tests” the Government must pass to win backing. The ERG is said to have called for a legally binding mechanism to escape the backstop, with a clear exit route and an unambiguous rewrite of the language in the Government’s legal advice, it was reported.