‘Party must resist plot by Leavers to oust PM’
TORY Brexiteers are plotting a “coup” against Theresa May, one of the Prime Minister’s closest allies claimed yesterday.
Former Justice Minister Philip Lee spoke out amid reports Jacob Rees-Mogg’s supporters have raised a £750,000 war chest for a leadership campaign and are speaking to PR firms.
Dr Lee tweeted: “The last thing we need is a leadership challenge. But when an MP and his supporters have collected £750k to do just that, there is no doubt that Brexiteers are planning a coup.
“I call on other rational members of the party to stand against this.”
FLOUNCING
Earlier, Mr Rees-Mogg warned MPs would not vote for a Brexit deal that failed to meet pledges to quit the single market, customs union and European courts.
Mrs May will host a showdown at Chequers to unite warring ministers.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Philip Hammond told the Commons he would deliver the Treasury’s assessment of the “implications” of different Brexit outcomes.
Brexiteers fear being pushed to back a customs plan that keeps us too close to Brussels – raising the possibility of resignations.
But former Tory leader Lord Hague said: “Flouncing out, just when the going gets tough but when the EU (Withdrawal) Act has been successfully enacted, will look like evading responsibility for choices that were inevitable just when important progress has been made.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg was the third choice for leader in a poll of Tory supporters for the ConHome website – with Sajid Javid first, followed by Michael Gove.