Labour MPs and Tory rebels accused of plotting to delay Brexit by demanding Government spells out negotiating demands in a ‘White Paper’

LABOUR MPs and Tory rebels were yesterday accused of plotting to delay Brexit by demanding the Government spell out its negotiating demands in the Commons.

Brexit Secretary David Davis was asked FIFTEEN times yesterday to publish a ‘White Paper’ detailing the Government’s objectives.

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MPs urged him to publish it alongside the ‘Brexit Bill’ where the Government will formally ask Parliament for approval to trigger Article 50 – and begin EU divorce talks.

And last night it was claimed up to 20 Tory MPs could be considering joining forces with Labour and the SNP to back an amendment demanding such a move before they allow the PM to launch into Brexit negotiations.

The band of ‘White Paper Plotters’ could hand Theresa May the first defeat of her tenure in No.10.

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Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary Kier Starmer said: “We need something on which to hold the Government to account through the process.”

Tory backbencher Anna Soubry said a debate on issues such as Britain’s membership of the single market would help “bring us together”.

But furious Tory backbenchers said it was a blatant attempt to delay Britain’s divorce from Brussels.

Brexit backer Sir Desmond Swayne MP said publishing the negotiating position would leave the Government open to a “judicial review”. He urged Mr Davis to view calls for a White Paper “in that light”.

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Former Cabinet Minister Iain Duncan Smith stormed: “People asking for a White Paper are just trying to slow this process down.”

Speaking yesterday, Mr Davis insisted Theresa May had laid bare the Government’s negotiating position last week in a speech where she revealed Britain would be seeking to leave the single market.

And he added that going public with the entire strategy would “undermine” talks with the EU.

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He said: “The Prime Minister gave a 6,500 word, closely argued speech that has been recognised across the country and around Europe as the epitome of clarity with clear objectives, aims and ambitions for this country.”

Pressed by Labour’s Hilary Benn he added: “The speech was the clearest exposition of a negotiating strategy that I have heard in modern times.

“It laid out clearly what we judge the national interest to be and how we intend to protect it.”

The Brexit Secretary insisted Parliament would have the opportunity “over and over and over again” to debate the terms of Britain’s departure over the next two years.

Tory backbencher Dr Julian Lewis ripped into pro-EU rivals by saying they wanted to keep Britain in the EU via the back door.

He said: “Hard Brexit means saying that one is going to leave the European Union and actually doing it.

“Soft Brexit means saying that one is going to leave the European Union and remaining in all but a name.”

Downing Street last night refused to rule out publishing a White Paper.

But the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We will do nothing that undermines our negotiating position.”