Cabinet split: No-deal becomes ‘operational priority’ and a ‘unicorn that needs to be slaughtered’

Planning for a no-deal Brexit has become an “operational priority”, ministers have agreed in crunch cabinet talks.

But Sky sources said discord broke out at the two-hour meeting when one minister called the plan a “unicorn that needs to be slaughtered”.

Ministers had gathered in Downing Street this morning to thrash out plans for what to do if the UK leaves the EU with no agreement on 29 March 2019.

Brexit Secretary Steven Barclay emerged to promise the priority was still getting a deal through parliament.

But with, 101 days to go until Brexit, he said a “responsible government” had to prepare for quitting with no agreement.

Mr Barclay denied the move was brinkmanship to pressure MPs into accepting the deal Prime Minister Theresa May pulled a vote on earlier this month in the face of a “significant” defeat.

“It’s not enough for parliament to say what it doesn’t want, there has to be an agreed position to move forward,” he said.

Sky sources said Justice Secretary David Gauke spoke up at the meeting to call the idea of a “managed” no-deal “a unicorn that needs to be slaughtered”.

They added he argued for the option to be able to block a no-deal Brexit nearer the deadline.

A cabinet source also said Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd spoke up to warn: “Just because you’ve put a seatbelt on, it doesn’t mean you should crash the car.”

Mrs May’s spokesman said there were no rows, insisting it was the best cabinet meeting in a while.

He added all UK citizens will be sent information in the next few weeks about how to prepare for a no-deal Brexit – but ruled out that being sent on Christmas Day.

106 technical notices and 320 “ongoing no-deal work streams” have been published on how the country should get ready for leaving without an agreement.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has also announced 3,500 troops will be “held at redness” to help with any “contingencies” under a no deal divorce,

Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom, speaking ahead of cabinet, promised ministers were preparing “for all eventualities”.

“We’re certainly not intending to have a no deal Brexit, but parliament does need to vote for a deal, otherwise the legal default position is we will head for no deal,” she said.

Mrs May was earlier given a boost of support by backbench Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg, who vowed to “move on” from losing a bid to unseat her.

Mr Rees-Mogg, who was one of 117 Tory who lost out in a bid to unseat her last week, said he respected the result and was now backing her.

“I lost the vote last week – and if you lose, that is ultimately conclusive,” he told Sky News.

“Events move on, they have moved on and I have therefore moved with them.”

Labour is still threatening to call a vote of no-confidence in the government, which could force a general election if successful.

Downing Street sources said a no-confidence motion in the PM personally would not be granted parliamentary time for a debate this year.

The prime minister looks set to avoid any more major showdowns in parliament, with MPs breaking up for the Christmas holidays on Thursday.

Despite Labour not being able to debate its no-confidence motion in the prime minister, it will still push for one in the government in the new year.

Earlier, shadow housing secretary John Healey told Sky News it was a question of “when – not if” the push would come.

Jenny Chapman, Labour’s shadow Brexit minister, said the no deal planning move was “testament to the prime minister’s failure in these negotiations”.

“A no deal Brexit would be a disaster for jobs, the economy and the border in Northern Ireland. It is simply not a viable option,” she said.

(c) Sky News 2018: Cabinet split: No-deal becomes ‘operational priority’ and a ‘unicorn that needs to be slaughtered’