May confronts plotters: Top Tories arrive at Chequers for last-ditch summit with PM they plan to oust in days – but Gove and Lidington deny they want her job as Mogg brings his Mini-Me son to face-off
A diagram showing what could happen after the third meaningful vote
Top Tory Brexiteers including Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg have arrived for a Brexit showdown with Theresa May at Chequers amid a coup plot by ministers to remove her from power.
They were among hardliners summoned to the Buckingham retreat on Sunday afternoon as the MP desperately searches for a way to break the current Brexit deadlock.
Former foreign secretary Mr Johnson and European Research Group chairman Mr Rees-Mogg – along with his son Peter – led a string of senior politicians including Brexiteer former ministers David David, Iain Duncan Smith, Dominic Raab and Steve Baker.
They were joined by serving ministers including Environment Secretary Michael Gove, Mrs May’s de-facto deputy prime minister and Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington, and Tory Chief Whip Julian Smith.ADVERTISING
Their attendance came after Mr Gove and Mr Lidington had both pledged their support to the beleaguered Prime Minister after being named at the centre of the Cabinet coup.
As senior cabinet figures complained that the Prime Minister’s judgement had reportedly gone ‘haywire’ in recent weeks Mr Lidington was named as a possible caretaker if she is forced out.
But Brexiteers who could not stomach the little-known Remainer being in charge at a crucial time for Brexit are plotting to get 2016 Leave mastermind and Environment Secretary Mr Gove installed instead.
However both men distanced themselves from any disloyalty today, with Mr Gove telling the BBC he ‘absolutely’ backed Mrs May, calling for ‘cool heads’. Video playing bottom right…Click here to expand to full page
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Jacob Rees-Mogg arrived at Chequers this afternoon with his son beside him. Boris Jonson was also among the guests at the discussion on Brexit
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Iain Duncan Smith arrived in a flashy soft-topped sports car at Chequers, while Dominic Raab opted for a more conventional vehicle
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Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis was driven into Chequers, as was Environment Secretary Michael Gove, who earlier said he was fully behind the Prime Minister
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Former Brexit minister Steve Baker, an ultra-Brexiteer, made the short drive from his High Wycombe constituency, with David Lidington driving over from Aylesbury, having earlier denied having any desire to replace Mrs May
He said: ‘It is not the time to change the captain of the ship, I think what we need to do is chart the right course.
‘I think the Prime Minister has charted that right course by making sure that we have a deal which honours the referendum mandate and also allows us to leave in a way which means we can strengthen our economy and also take advantage of life outside the European Union.’
His comments came after Mr Lidington had told reporters in his Aylesbury constituency today: ‘I don’t think that I’ve any wish to take over from the PM (who) I think is doing a fantastic job.
‘I tell you this: one thing that working closely with the Prime Minister does is cure you completely of any lingering shred of ambition to want to do that task.
‘I have absolute admiration for the way she is going about it.’
