It’s time for Grayling to go, say furious MPs

accounts committee, said Mr Grayling’s permanent secretary would be facing questions on the scandal at a grilling next week. She told Evening Standard: “We have already seen the fiasco over Seaborne Ferries, and now we are seeing that this rushed and ill-thought-out approach is not helping with Brexit and it is costing the taxpayer dearly.”

Mr Grayling was embarrassed by having to axe a contract with a ferry company that had no ships. He struck a £ 1 3 . 8 mi l l i o n d e a l w i t h S e a b o r n e Freight to run services from Ramsgate — but an Irish company expected to provide vessels pulled out.

Mr Grayling defended the settlement, saying: “The agreement with Eurotunnel secures the Government’s additional freight capacity, helping ensure that the NHS has essential medicines in the event of a no-deal Brexit. While

⬤ it is disappointing that Eurotunnel chose to take legal action on contracts in place to ensure the smooth supply of vital medicines, I am pleased that this agreement will ensure the Channel Tunnel is ready fo r a p o s t-B r ex i t world.”

Former Justice Secretary Mr Grayling was already facing criticism today over problems with the partial privatisation of the probation system, which the National Audit Office said had cost taxpayers almost £500 million. The transport department stressed that as part of the agreement, Eurotunnel had withdrawn its legal claim against the Government.

Me a nw h i l e , Th e re s a May faced another backlash today as her former Brexit Secretary joined calls to crash out from the EU if her deal is rejected.

Dominic Raab joined former fisheries minister George Eustice and ex-foreign secretary Boris Johnson in saying it would be better to leave without a deal than delay Brexit.

The 11th-hour attack by the party’s Eurosceptic Right-wing follows Mrs May’s promise to give MPs a vote on postponing Brexit day beyond March 29 if her withdrawal agreement falls in the Commons.

H o w e v e r, h o p e s appear to be rising among Cabinet ministers that t h e E u ro p e a n Un i o n w i l l ma ke a concession on the backstop that would save her deal.