Hammond is branded treacherous by Tory
CHANCELLOR Philip Hammond was branded “treacherous” yesterday after a leaked telephone recording revealed he told business leaders that Brexit could be “rescinded”.
In a conference call, the Chancellor sketched out how a no-deal exit could be “taken off the table” as a step towards halting the Article 50 departure process.
Tory backbencher Christopher Chope out at his remarks. The Eurosceptic former minister suggested during Business Questions that Mr Hammond was undermining the Prime Minister. He said: “Can I ask if we can have an early debate on collective Cabinet responsibility Sir hit and what it means in current circumstances?
Mr Chope, the MP for Christchurch, asked Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom if she would head the debate, so “she can explain to the House the frustration we all feel on her behalf”.
He said the 2017 Conservative manifesto was being “undermined by treacherous comments from her own Cabinet colleagues”.
Ms Leadsom replied: “My honourable friend is really tempting me but I can resist.
“All of my Cabinet colleagues are absolutely in agreement that we will deliver on the will of the people as expressed in the referendum of 2016.
“We will be leaving the European Union on March 29, that remains Government policy and we will continue to prepare for all eventualities.” The row came after the leaked call on Tuesday night, which took place shortly after Theresa May’s Brexit deal was voted down in the Commons by a record margin.
The Chancellor began the call by explaining that the defeat raised two questions...could Article 50 be revoked and could the option of no deal be somehow taken off the table.
And he spoke about a crossparty Bill from Tory MP Nick Boles, which aims to force the Government to extend Article 50 if a Brexit deal cannot be reached, according to a transcript of the call.
The business leaders sought assurances from him, along with Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay and Business Secretary Greg Clark, who were also on the call, that a no-deal could be ruled out.