‘Hammond’s ridiculous is weakening Britain’s

A TORY MP last night accused Philip Hammond of “weakening” Britain’s negotiating hand in talks with Brussels as fury over Treasury Brexit forecasts intensified.

Backbencher Simon Clarke claimed the Chancellor was playing “a ridiculous game” by suggesting leaving the EU without a deal could wipe out up to 10 per cent of the country’s national income.

He also warned that Mr Hammond was breaking Cabinet collective responsibility by refusing to accept that the Government’s position that no deal was “a perfectly viable option”.

Mr Clarke, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, spoke out as ministers attempted to play down claims of a rift at the heart of the Government following the Chancellor’s intervention.

Backtracking

Mr Hammond provoked fury by publishing a letter on Thursday claiming a no-deal Brexit would have “large fiscal consequences” for Britain and could lead to an extra £80billion in government borrowing by 2033-34.

Downing Street officials were said to be furious about the Chancellor’s letter, which overshadowed an announcement about Whitehall preparations for a no-deal Brexit by the EU Exit Secretary Dominic Raab. A Government source said: “This was a deliberate intervention by Philip – he knew exactly what he was doing.”

Rubbishing the Treasury figures yesterday, Mr Clarke said: “I think that is not a helpful intervention.

“I think it weakens our country’s position in these negotiations.

“It is thoroughly unhelpful and I hope it is the last time we have this ridiculous game of constantly trying to scare the British people into backtracking on a decision that we made two years ago.”

He added: “I’m clear that a good deal with the EU is what we want but it can’t be any deal and that is where I fear too many ministers are heading – literally any deal that is served up they would rather sign up to than contemplate no deal.”

Speaking in a BBC interview, Mr Clarke also accused the Chancellor of breaching Cabinet responsibility, raising doubts about his future in the Government. “The Prime Minister was very clear before the summer recess that she was reasserting Cabinet collective responsibility about the Government’s approach to the Brexit negotiation,” he said.

Mr Clarke also warned the Chancellor that Brexiteer Tory MPs were determined to fight against any proposed deal that left Britain tied to