Tory MP refuses invite from Theresa May to watch England match at No10 as she’s ‘not bringing Brexit home’
Brexiteers in her party are furious with her Chequers deal, and one of those asked to Downing Street to watch the semi-final tonight said he won't go in protest at her so-called ‘soft Brexit’
A FURIOUS Tory MP has refused an invitation from Theresa May to watch tonight’s England match at Number 10 because she’s “not bringing Brexit home”.
The Brexiteers in her party are furious with her Chequers deal, and one of those asked to Downing Street to watch the semi-final tonight said he won't go in the wake of the row over her so-called ‘soft Brexit ‘plan.
Henry Smith publicly rejected the Prime Minister's invitation, writing on Twitter: "Received this invite to watch tomorrow’s England-Croatia World Cup semi-final in 10 Downing Street.
“Seeing as the Prime Minister isn’t bringing Brexit home I’m concerned attending would be a bad omen for football coming home...I’ll pass."
In a further sign that the Tory party’s deep divisions on Europe are spilling out into public, the normally silent Chief Whip responded to the MP.
Julian Smith, the PM’s enforcer, snappily replied: "If you would like to transfer your invite to a constituent let me know. Let me have their name first thing-they will be welcome."
But Mr Smith, the MP for Crawley since 2010, hit back: “Thanks Julian but the pubs of Crawley are irresistible.”
However Sally Bercow, wife of House of Commons speaker John, said she would be happy to take up the offer.
She replied to the Chief Whip saying: “We won’t be childish and bad-mannered. One Speaker, one wife and three kids would love to come....”
To which Mr Smith replied: “As he is a Conservative MP you are all welcome :)!”
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But Mrs Bercow quickly admonished him, saying her husband was no longer a Tory since he took up the independent role taking charge of debates in the Parliamentary chamber.
She set him straight, saying he resigned in June 2009 adding that he: “Was terribly sad to do so obvs.”
But plenty of MPs are getting in the World Cup spirit, after Jeses Norman posted a clip of himself playing Three Lions on the trumpet on Twitter.
The Tory transport minister shared the video with the caption: “I Vow To Thee, My Country + Three Lions, à la Norman = IN-GER-LAAAAAND!!!! #ENGCRO.”