Ex-Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab must decide whether or not to back Theresa May’s deal and boost his shot at top job
Raab, who is known to want the keys to No 10, must decide to back the deal and risk the wrath of Brexiteers or hold off and annoy Tory activists
DOMINIC Raab was last night said to be weighing up whether or not backing Theresa May’s deal would boost his Tory leadership chances.
The former lawyer, 45, quit as Brexit Secretary in fury at the Prime Minister’s deal in November and has become one of its fiercest critics.
He is a leading member of the European Research Group of arch-Brexiteers. And while fellow hardliners Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg were last night rowing in behind Mrs May’s Withdrawal Agreement, he refused to say if he would back it.
Mr Raab, who is known to want the Tory crown, is facing a crucial choice.
He could hold out against Mrs May’s deal and become the “true Brexiteer” candidate — stealing the mantle from Mr Johnson.
But if her deal is voted down for a third and final time and a far softer Brexit is ushered in by Remainer MPs, Conservative activists may never forgive him.
Alternatively, he can back the deal and risk the wrath of other hardline Brexiteers who are stubbornly refusing to budge on their position.
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