Brexit minister Chris Heaton-Harris has resigned from the government over Theresa May’s decision to ask for another extension to the Article 50 process.
In his letter to the prime minister published on Wednesday afternoon, he said the government “should have honoured the result of the 2016 referendum” and taken the UK out of the EU on March 29.
Heaton-Harris’s was in charge of planning for a no-deal Brexit. He said the PM’s decision to avoid leaving without an agreement “obviously makes my job in government irrelevant”.
“Every time we seek an extension to this process we diminish faith in our political system and the good people, from all political parties, who serve within it. I simply cannot support any further extension to Article 50 and this obviously means I cannot stay in government,” he said.
Earlier today Nigel Adams quit as a minister in the Wales Office in protest at May’s decision to hold talks with Jeremy Corbyn in order to break the deadlock in parliament.
May was meeting the Labour leader in her Commons office in the hope of agreeing a position which can win a majority within the next few days, allowing her to request a short delay to Brexit at next week’s summit.
European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said the EU would accept an extension to May 22 if the UK had approved May’s Withdrawal Agreement by a “viable majority” before April 12.
But speaking in Brussels, he said a no-deal Brexit at the end of next week was becoming “more and more likely”, adding: “April 12 is the final date for possible approval. If the House of Commons does not adopt a stance before that date no short-term extension will be possible.”
May told MPs that the purpose of her meeting with Corbyn was “to look at those areas we agree on”.
“I think we both want to deliver leaving the EU with a deal,” she said. “I think we both want to protect jobs. I think we both want to ensure that we end free movement. I think we both recognise the importance of the Withdrawal Agreement.
“What we want to do now is find a way forward that can command the support of this House and deliver on Brexit, deliver on the result of the referendum and ensure that people can continue to have trust in their politicians doing what they ask us to do.”
Corbyn said he welcomed May’s “willingness to compromise to resolve the Brexit deadlock”, but otherwise avoided the issue during their weekly PMQs clash.
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox will address a potentially explosive meeting of the Tory backbench 1922 Committee this evening.
Meanwhile, a cross-party group of MPs was attempting to force legislation to stop a no-deal Brexit through the Commons in a single day.
The single-clause Bill tabled by Yvette Cooper requires the Prime Minister to table a motion seeking MPs’ approval for an extension to the Article 50 process beyond April 12 to a date of her choosing.
Labour is backing the bill, but Conservative MPs are being whipped to oppose it, as well as a business motion which would also put a third round of indicative votes on to the Commons timetable on Monday.