Hammond in cross-party plot

PHILIP Hammond is plotting a fresh Commons bid to block a no-deal Brexit by teaming up with Labour MPs, it emerged yesterday.

The pro-EU former chancellor, who quit the Government hours before Boris Johnson became Prime Minister, has held talks with shadow EU exit secretary Keir Starmer about a possible cross-party alliance.

He is believed to have asked former Tory leadership contender Rory Stewart to front it.

The moves, which put the Prime Minister’s Commons majority in peril, have threatened to renew the bitter Tory feud over Brexit.

One Eurosceptic backbencher said: “I hope these Remainer Tory MPs spend the summer getting in touch with their constituency parties and realising the strength of feeling in favour of getting behind the Prime Minister and delivering Brexit.”

Mr Johnson’s team was yesterday understood to be unconcerned about the plotting. A senior Tory said: “We’ve heard all this before. Voters expect MPs to deliver on the referendum result and get Brexit done.”

Mr Hammond and Mr Starmer are said to have agreed to work over the recess with Tory MPs Dominic Grieve, Sir Oliver Letwin and others on how to torpedo a no-deal Brexit.

Possible options include amending Government legislation to force the PM to seek a delay beyond the October 31 departure deadline.

Other options include forcing through a Private Member’s Bill or triggering a vote of no-confidence in the Government.