May to rule out staying in customs union

Corbyn accused of trying to trap Prime Minister with plan condemned as ‘dangerous delusion’

Theresa May is today expected to rule out membership of a customs union after Brexit following a backlash by Eurosceptic MPS and ministers. Downing Street yesterday attempted to defuse the row after the Prime Minister failed to rule out further talks on a customs union in a letter to Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader. Liam Fox, the Trade Secretary, described Labour’s plan as a “dangerous delusion”, while Boris Johnson accused Mr Corbyn of trying to trap Mrs May into a “toxic” Brexit.

THERESA MAY has said she will not allow Britain to be part of the customs union after Brexit following a backlash by Eurosceptic MPS and ministers. Downing Street yesterday attempted to defuse the row after the Prime Minister failed to rule out further talks on a customs union in a letter to Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader.

Liam Fox, the International Trade Secretary, described Labour’s plan as a “dangerous delusion”, while Boris Johnson, the former foreign secretary, accused Mr Corbyn of trying to trap Mrs May into a “toxic” Brexit.

In a boost for the Prime Minister, he said that Britain will be “at the races” if it can secure legally binding changes to the backstop.

Mrs May is today expected to rule out membership of a customs union to reassure Tory Eurosceptics. She will also appeal to Remain Tory MPS for more time to strike a deal with the EU by telling them that the Government will allow amendments to be tabled at the end of the month. It will give backbenchers a final chance to put forward legislation to force the Government to request an extension of Article 50 if a deal cannot be reached.

The Daily Telegraph understands that Remain ministers and MPS who want to take a no-deal Brexit off the table are likely to accept her assurances and put their rebellion on hold for now.

Six Cabinet ministers were last night expected to meet in an attempt to reach a compromise. The meeting is said to have been brokered by Chris Grayling, the Eurosceptic Transport Secretary.

Others attending were expected to include Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, Amber Rudd, the Work and Pensions Secretary, and David Gauke, the Justice Secretary.

Ministers have raised concerns there is no formal discussion of Brexit on the Cabinet agenda this morning.

Michel Barnier, the EU’S chief Brexit negotiator, said yesterday that Britain must give ground if the deadlock is to be broken. “We’re waiting for clarity and movement from the UK,” he said.

He said Mr Corbyn’s Brexit proposals were “interesting in tone and substance”.

Mr Johnson signalled yesterday that he would back the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal if she can secure an exit mechanism or time limit on the Northern Ireland backstop.

He said: “I don’t think that there is any mileage… in trying to do a deal with Labour because they will just try to trap Theresa May. They will try to do a deal that is toxic.”

Dr Fox said: “The idea that you can have a customs union with the EU and at the same time, as an outside country, have an effect on EU trade policy, is to not understand the EU treaties.”

A Downing Street spokesman said: “We’re not considering Jeremy Corbyn’s customs proposals, we’re not considering any proposals to remain in the customs union.”

Meanwhile, Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay held “constructive” talks last night with Mr Barnier in which they agreed to further meetings in the coming days, while their teams will continue to work to find a way forward.