Cabinet war erupts after Philip Hammond’s pals blast Michael Gove for his ‘smear campaign’ over the Chancellor’s support for ‘soft’ Brexit
Friends of the Chancellor said the new Environment Secretary is behind the Cabinet leak
A CABINET war erupted yesterday as Philip Hammond’s allies blamed Michael Gove for trying to smear the Chancellor over his support for a “soft” Brexit.
Mr Hammond blasted colleagues for leaking details of what he told a “private” Cabinet meeting last week.
He is reported to have said public sector workers were overpaid and driving a train was so easy now that “even” women can do it.
He said his colleagues “shouldn’t have done because Cabinet meetings are meant to be a private space”.
Pals of Mr Hammond laid the blame for the anonymous briefings at the feet of new Environment Secretary Mr Gove.
A source said: “It’s Michael Gove behind all of this”.
But friends of Mr Gove said the claims are “baseless” and pointed to suggestions that the leaks came from pro-Remain sources.
The Chancellor was backed up by an unlikely ally in Dr Liam Fox — who he has clashed with over post-Brexit trade policy — who warned: “The only people smiling at this will be in Berlin and Paris.”
Mr Hammond said: “Noise is generated by people not happy with the agenda I have tried to advance.”
Meanwhile, ex-Cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell is said to have urged Brexit Secretary David Davis to exploit the feud between his main leadership rival Boris Johnson and Mr Hammond to boost Mr Davis’ chances of ousting Theresa May.
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But one Tory MP said: “Any plot that has Andrew Mitchell remotely close to it will inspire colleagues to unite and reject.
"Doesn’t he realise we all think he’s a total c***?”
Meanwhile Tony Blair admitted that even he feels sorry for Mrs May. The former Labour PM said: “The sharks are always circling.
