Downing Street is now “confident” a maximum of only 20 Tory MPs could rebel against Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal when it is put to a crunch vote in the House of Commons next week, it has been claimed.
No10 has decided to hold the vote on the Windsor Framework on Wednesday because it has concluded a major rebellion will not materialize, according to TalkTV.
Asked if the 20 figure sounded correct, Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke told the broadcaster: “I think they are roughly about right. I think there is a hardcore which won’t accept any compromise at all but then there is no way out of the fact you want to honor the Good Friday Agreement.
“I think the Prime Minister has done an outstanding job with this agreement. I think it was something a lot of people didn’t think we would get there.”
He added: “The public wants this over and done with, Parliament wants this over and done with. I think there are a few Japanese soldiers not believing the war is over but I think they are very, very few now.”
The European Research Group of Tory Brexiteers is yet to deliver its final verdict on the PM’s deal which is designed to resolve problems with post-Brexit border arrangements in Northern Ireland.
You can follow the latest updates below.
08:41 AM
He’s running! Boris Johnson re-selected as Tory candidate in his Uxbridge constituency
Boris Johnson has been re-selected as the Conservative Party’s candidate in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency, putting to an end speculation that he could seek a safer seat elsewhere for the next general election.
“I can confirm Boris Johnson has been reselected as the Conservative candidate in Uxbridge and South Ruislip,” a spokesman said last night.
The former prime minister holds a majority of more than 7,000 votes in the seat but it is seen as a key target for Labor at the next election.
Allies of Mr. Johnson had always rejected any suggestion that he could seek a new or safer seat, despite persistent speculation.
08:36 AM
Dominic Raab: Officials are ‘breaching the rules’ of the bullying probe by talking to the media
Dominic Raab claimed civil servants who are talking to the media about bullying allegations made against him are “breaching the rules” of the ongoing inquiry into his behavior.
Fresh allegations were made against Mr Raab yesterday as officials who worked with him claimed to Sky News that he had repeatedly reduced staff to tears and “ruined people’s lives” through “coercive behaviour”.
Mr Raab told the broadcaster this morning: “As you know from previous questions that have been put to me, I have said that I would cooperate fully with the inquiry. I am not going to comment on anonymous sources in the media.
“In fact it is a breach of the rules of the inquiry for anyone to do so and of course I want to respect that.”
Asked if he recognized the latest claims made against him, the Justice Secretary said: “It is actually improper for me to comment on the question you have just asked. It is a breach of the rules of the inquiry.
“Anyone involved in the inquiry who is commenting to the media anonymously or otherwise is breaching the rules and as a matter of basic professional integrity I am not going to do that.”
An investigation led by Adam Tolley KC into the bullying claims remains ongoing although there is speculation the findings could soon be published.
08:18 AM
Tory MP compares Brexit rebels to ‘Japanese soldiers not believing the war is over’
Alec Shelbrooke, a Tory MP, compared Conservative colleagues who may be considering voting against Rishi Sunak’s new Brexit deal to “Japanese soldiers” who do not believe “the war is over”.
He told Talk TV: “The public wants this over and done with, Parliament wants this over and done with. I think there are a few Japanese soldiers not believing the war is over but I think they are very, very few now.”
The European Research Group of Tory Brexiteers is yet to deliver its final verdict on the PM’s Windsor Framework which is designed to resolve problems with post-Brexit border arrangements in Northern Ireland.
08:14 AM
Downing Street ‘confident’ Brexit revolt will be limited to a maximum of 20 Tory MPs
Downing Street is now “confident” a maximum of only 20 Tory MPs could rebel against Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal when it is put to a crunch vote in the House of Commons next week, it has been claimed.
No10 has decided to hold the vote on the Windsor Framework on Wednesday because it has concluded a major rebellion will not materialize, according to TalkTV.
Asked if the 20 figure sounded correct, Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke told the broadcaster: “I think they are roughly about right. I think there is a hardcore which won’t accept any compromise at all but then there is no way out of the fact you want to honor the Good Friday Agreement.
“I think the Prime Minister has done an outstanding job with this agreement. I think it was something a lot of people didn’t think we would get there.”