Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BORIS CHARLOTTE Brojo: I go
Boris’ brother quits PM’S deal on rocks as as minister over Brexit he demands second vote
BORIS Johnson’s brother Jo sensationally quit the Government last night – and demanded a second Brexit referendum.
He warned that Prime Minister Theresa May’s withdrawal deal was a “con” and a “travesty” which would leave the UK outside the EU but “wholly subject” to its rules.
His call for a new vote puts him at loggerheads with brother Boris, who led the Leave campaign and is backing a hard Brexit.
The 46-year-old MP, who backed Remain in the 2016 referendum, said: “So great is the gulf now between what was promised in the referendum campaign and what is now on offer in the PM’S proposed deal that I have had no choice but to submit my resignation.”
He said Mrs May’s favoured pact would “leave our country economically weakened”. He added: “Britain stands on the brink of the greatest crisis since the Second World War.”
Calling for another EU vote, he said: “It is imperative that we now go back to the people and check that they are content to proceed on this extraordinary basis.” Boris, 54, said he had “boundless admiration” for his brother.
He said: “We may not have agreed about Brexit but we are united in dismay at the intellectually and politically indefensible UK position.”
Mr Johnson’s journalist sister Rachel said she was “hugely proud”.
A Downing Street spokesman said there will not be a second referendum “under any circumstances”.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Brexit could not be halted. He said: “We can’t stop it. The referendum took place. Article 50 was triggered.”