Minister quits over prospect of ‘humiliating’ delay to Brexit
MICHAEL Gove’s deputy dramatically quit the Government last night to fight against ‘humiliating’ plans to delay Brexit.
George Eustice became the 14th minister to resign over Brexit, blaming Theresa May’s decision this week to open the door to allowing Parliament to extend Article 50.
The agriculture minister said he wanted to be free to fight the proposal from the backbenches ‘to try to salvage this sorry situation’. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Eustice warned a last-minute request to extend Article 50 would allow Brussels to dictate terms.
Highlighting his support for Mrs May’s deal, the Eurosceptic said: ‘I have stuck with the Government through a series of rather undignified retreats.
‘However, I fear developments this week will lead to a sequence of events culminating in the EU dictating the terms of any extension requested and the final humiliation of our country.’
In a series of media interviews, Mr Eustice also rounded on Cabinet ministers Amber Rudd, David Gauke and Greg Clark, who forced Mrs May’s hand by using an article in this newspaper to warn that ministers would resign unless she sanctioned a Brexit delay. Mr Eus- tice said Mrs May had been ‘terribly undermined’, adding: ‘They were very wrong to do that. They have undermined our own Government at a critical stage of the negotiations. They sent a clear signal that if we didn’t get an agreement we would just bottle it.
‘It was a terrible message to send out and a terrible mistake. We need them to show more courage. We have to have the courage in this country to walk away without a deal initially if we have to.’
Mr Gove paid tribute to his deputy as a ‘ brilliant minister who will remain a dear friend’.
The two men discussed his resignation in advance, but sources said Mr Gove would be staying in post as Environment Secretary.
Boris Johnson led Eurosceptic tributes, saying: ‘George Eustice is brave and right – and his superb letter to the PM shows that No Deal may yet be the best option for the UK.’
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to Mr Eustice. In a letter of reply she insisted a deal to take the UK out on March 29 remains ‘within our grasp’. She added: ‘I agree with you that Parliament must now come together and honour the referendum result by voting for a deal which will give businesses and citizens the certainty they need and deserve.’
The resignation of Mr Eustice underlines the anger among Eurosceptic MPs at this week’s U-turn on delaying Brexit. Mrs May agreed reluctantly to allow Parliament to vote on an extension of Article 50 if her deal is voted down again this month.
It came after more than a dozen Remainer ministers threatened to quit. On Wednesday night more than a third of Tory MPs rebelled against the climbdown. Brussels sources yesterday indicated that any extension of Article 50 would have to be a ‘one-off’.
Before becoming a Tory MP, Mr Eustice stood for Ukip in the 1999 European Parliament election. A press officer for Michael Howard and David Cameron in opposition before his election to Parliament in 2010, he had held his latest post since 2015.
Ministers have ordered a new TV advertising campaign to warn the public to be ready for No Deal. Officials fear radio messages broadcast since January have failed to hit home.