Corbyn ‘dragging his feet on Brexit’

THE Prime Minister last night accused Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn of dragging his feet on cross-party Brexit talks.

Mrs May told the Cabinet that the crossparty talks with Labour had become ‘difficult’ when ministers tried to force the pace in order to get a deal done in time to avoid next month’s European parliament elections.

It came amid signs that the PM could try to break the deadlock by bringing forward legislation to enact her Brexit deal as early as next week. Ministers discussed the ‘growing possibility’ that parliament could vote to revoke Article 50 and cancel Brexit if the Government cannot pass a deal. In Cabinet, Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom urged Mrs May to order a fresh vote within days.

The move, supported by other Brexiteer ministers, would see the full Withdrawal Agreement Bill – allowing the UK to leave the EU – debated in the Commons next week. The PM’s official spokesman confirmed that sticking points included Labour’s demand for a permanent customs union and Mr Corbyn’s reluctance to fast-track the process in order to avoid the European elections on May 23.