Philip Hammond says in leaked recording that No Deal could be ‘taken off the table’ within days
The recording revealed how closely the Government is working with top British businesses sparking fears in Brexitieers at a hard Brexit is actively being avoided
PHILIP Hammond told business chiefs that MPs are likely to make sure a no-deal Brexit never happens, in a bombshell recording that was leaked last night.
In a conference call less than two hours after Theresa May’s Brexit plan was defeated in parliament on Tuesday, the Chancellor insisted the “threat” of no-deal could be taken “off the table” within days.
The phone meeting, which lasted nearly an hour, also involved business secretary Greg Clark and the bosses of 330 firms - including Amazon, Tesco, BP, Siemens, and Scottish Power, according to a transcript published by The Daily Telegraph.
Mr Hammond told them how a backbench bill to extend Article 50 was likely to be supported - and therefore act as the “ultimate backstop” against a no-deal because a “large majority in the Commons is opposed to no-deal under any circumstances”.
The recording - - reveals how closely the Treasury is working with some of Britain’s biggest businesses – sparking fears from Brexiteers that they are working together to avoid a hard Brexit.
Mr Hammond also assured the bosses that the government would stop spending money on no-deal preparations “as soon as we know we are not going there” in order to give businesses “a resumption of normal service”.
But Eurosceptic Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay appeared to disagree - warning that taking no-deal off the table would “weaken the negotiation hand” with Brussels.
- GOT a story? Ring The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or email exclusive@the-sun.co.uk.