May cabinet ‘hold secret talks behind her back’

SIX UK cabinet plotters led by foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt are holding secret Brexit ‘peace talks’ behind Theresa May’s back.

Aided by Brexiteer ministers Chris Grayling and Liam Fox, Mr Hunt held an emergency meeting with remainer ministers David Gauke, Greg Clark and Amber Rudd last week, with more private talks planned for tomorrow evening.

The Cabinet has been split into leave and remain camps, but fears that No.10 is ‘dangerously close to losing its grip’ have brought ministers from both sides together, said one source at the meetings.

The source said the talks were designed to find common ground between the warring cabinet groups.

Privately, Downing Street insiders concede that a delay to Britain’s exit from the EU, scheduled for March 29, will be needed.

But there are fears that staunch Brexiteers could vote with Labour in a motion of no-confidence against the government if the request to extend departure comes ahead of March 21, when the European Council meets.

Downing Street still hopes to convene a special meeting of EU leaders later this month. It is understood any extension to the Brexit deadline could be discussed at the council.

Meanwhile, Irish Government sources said last night that they interpreted Mrs May’s apparently futile tour around Europe as an effort to buy time before forcing the EU into a deal on deadline day.

Mrs May, according to one official, ‘appears to be going through the motions in the belief the EU will have to give her something in the final days to stop a disorderly Brexit.

‘She understands that a no-deal will damage Europe and Ireland in particular, so she has to keep playing the game,’ said the source.

Meanwhile, a Government minister has denied claims of intervention in a €103m no-deal Brexit preparation deal. The claim was made yesterday by Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg.

The deal between the UK Government and Seaborne Freight – a ferry company with no ships but backed by Irish company Arklow Shipping – was cancelled yesterday by the British Department of Transport.

The department said it had decided to terminate the contract after Arklow Shipping stepped away from the deal. Mr Rees-Mogg asked if there had been ‘implied pressure from the Irish Government’.

Europe Minister Helen McEntee said there was ‘absolutely no truth’ to his suggestion.

‘Mrs May has to keep playing the game’