Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab launches attack on Theresa May’s Cabinet boss for ‘going behind his back’ over Irish border plans
THERESA May’s Cabinet was plunged into fresh turmoil after pals of the Brexit Secretary launched an astonishing attack on the Prime Minister’s right hand man.
Dominic Raab feels Cabinet Office boss David Lidington is “going behind his back” when dealing with the Irish government, allies say.
Mr Lidington has been tasked with “hand holding” the Irish boss Leo Varadkar and Foreign Minister Simon Coveney through the final phases of negotiations, but Brexiteers believe he is using the role to push a softer agenda than the Exit Secretary.
They point to a change in tone from the Dublin for Britain being able to stay in a customs union as part of the controversial “backstop” plan.
The Sun understands tensions came to a head last week when Mr Lidington travelled to Dublin for meetings, while Mr Raab was dispatched to Northern Ireland.
At the time Downing Street stressed the excellent relations Mr Lidington had with the Irish bosses, who he is said to be in constant contact with via text message.
But one senior Tory told the Sun: "Dominic is furious. He feels he is being undermined at every turn."
The Raab-ally added: “The Government is being run by Philip Hammond, Greg Clark and David Lidington. And they all want to stay in the customs union.”
One Government source said our revelations “will worry the PM. She lost one Brexit Secretary she cannot afford to lose another.”
The row came as it emerged Transport boss Chris Grayling was also said to be furious with Mrs May’s Brexit tactics, but friends rejected the idea he could walk away.
Meanwhile further splits emerged among key Cabinet Brexiteers after leading members hinted they would back whatever deal Mrs May hammers out with “as it won’t get through the Commons anyway”.
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One Cabinet Minister told The Sun they are now more concerned that the country is heading for a No Deal Brexit than ever before as the Commons is deadlocked.
Labour MP Virendra Sharma blasted: “The bickering at the top of Government is a pathetic indictment on them all.”
The Best for Britain campaigner added: “These people should not be left to run a bath let alone the most complex negotiation in history.”
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