Tory MPs’ list of demands for hardline EU exit angers colleagues

MICHAEL SETTLE

spelling out their Brexit demands, including a transition period in which Britain would be able to sign free trade deals and stop paying money to Brussels.

The letter, sent to members of the Conservative European Research Group (ERG) of Brexitbacking MPs by Change Britain, also says staying in the single market during a transition would be an “historic mistake”.

Public money is used to fund the ERG, which was formerly chaired by Brexit minister Steve Baker, but its full membership list is not freely available.

Suella Fernandes, who now chairs the group and is an aide to Chancellor Philip Hammond, insisted the letter was supportive of the Government.

But Stephen Hammond, the former Conservative minister, said the letter was “entirely at odds” with Ggovernment policy and supporters on the Government’s payroll must quit or be sacked.

Nicky Morgan, the pro-Remain former education secretary, said the letter undermined the Government and the Tory party.

“It is unacceptable for a group within the Conservative parliamentary party to issue demands. [The letter] says we demand these things are in the withdrawal agreement, which seeks to undermine the UK’s negotiations within the EU.

“It’s fine for backbenchers, like me for example, to say what they would like, but this letter goes a little further: it demands certain things and it does go beyond Government policy,” she added.

The Prime Minister is preparing to make a major speech on Brexit when she is expected to set out her desire for a “no cliff-edge” transition deal. Within days, however, she will be addressing the Conservative Party conference when she is expected to set out a much tougher vision for Britain outside the EU.

The Liberal Democrats claimed the Change Britain letter showed the Conservatives were in “meltdown” and urged Mrs May to “assert her authority”.