PM tore up key Irish backstop proposal that could have sealed perfect Brexit deal — because she wanted to please EU negotiators
THERESA May ripped up a proposal that could have saved her Brexit deal, it emerged.
It would have seen a termination clause to the controversial Irish backstop — which many believe will keep Britain locked in a customs union with Brussels for years.
But she refused to back it, in a desperate bid to please the EU with the 585-page Withdrawal Agreement she eventually submitted — and described by Brussels as “the only deal possible”.
The secret plan was commissioned last month by then-Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox. It would have allowed the UK to abandon the policy, designed to keep the Irish border open in the event of No Deal.
The PM’s Europe adviser Olly Robbins drew it up but is then said to have lobbied No 10 not to put it to Brussels. He believed such a bold move would have sent the negotiations into another deadlock because of the strength of opposition to it around Europe — and Mrs May agreed.
Mr Raab, who resigned over the backstop issue, last night confirmed her decision to The Sun. He said: “Not pressing for this common sense exit mechanism has rendered the deal fatally flawed. With resolve and will, I believe this could have been delivered earlier in the negotiation.”
No 10 refused to deny the charge last night, saying only that “numerous ideas” had been discussed.
A spokeswoman said: “What we have now is a deal that is the best deal available.” But the deal looks almost certain to be voted down in the Commons on December 11, with close to 100 Tory MPs already speaking out against it.
If the “meaningful vote” is lost, rebel Brexiteer MPs are expected to insist Mrs May returns to Brussels to demand the termination clause in exchange for their support at a second vote.
PM refused another plea to toughen up the backstop if she loses. During a grilling by the Commons liaison committee, made up of the chairmen of all the select committees, she was asked to renegotiate a time limit on it to reassure MPs and the DUP.
Northern Ireland Committee chairman Dr Andrew Murrison told her that “might just about get this through the House of Commons”. But Mrs May refused, saying that the agreement spells out that the backstop is only temporary and is unlikely ever to be used.
During the session the PM admitted she had failed to persuade the 27 EU leaders that there was no need for any customs borders between them and the UK after Brexit. She also ducked questions about whether or not she would ever risk economic chaos by enforcing a No Deal Brexit.
And she sparked a fresh row with Chancellor Philip Hammond by saying his grim forecasts for a No Deal Brexit are flawed. She also dismissed calls for a second referendum, saying: “We need to come together as a country and not provoke more division.”
Mrs May told MPs she will continue to refuse to publish the Government’s legal advice on its Brexit deal, despite the possibility of facing contempt charges.
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