Theresa May returns from holiday to unite Cabinet over Brexit as party declares Britain will not stay in EU ‘by the back door’
Chancellor Philip Hammond and hardline Brexiteer Liam Fox agreed a transition deal was in the 'national interest' - yet insisted such a deal would not derail Britain's departure
THERESA May moved to calm Cabinet Brexit tensions as she flew back from her three-week holiday yesterday.
Her return prompted a rare display of unity from Chancellor Philip Hammond and hardline Brexiteer Liam Fox.
Downing Street got them to write an article together declaring the UK would not be staying in the EU “by the back door”.
However, critics said it showed Mr Hammond had lost a power struggle as he relented over his calls to extend the exit process.
The article came after weeks of public sniping about the stuttering EU divorce talks.
Mr Hammond, who wants a softer Brexit, and International Trade Secretary Mr Fox said they agreed that a transition deal would further Britain’s “national interest and give business greater certainty” — but they insisted it would not derail Britain’s EU exit.
However, Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable said it was “now painfully clear who calls the shots in the Cabinet; it isn’t the Chancellor”.
It came as Brexit boss David Davis prepared to publish papers setting out his negotiating positions ahead of the next round of talks with Brussels.
However, it all did little to stop chatter over Mrs May’s future, with popular backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg forced to deny a slew of reports he wanted her job.
