Franklin, Andrews, Kramer & Edelstein

[scion]

Boris and Gove's plot to 'hijack' Number 10 exposed: Menacing secret memo to Theresa May dictating terms for a hard Brexit triggers new Cabinet rift

* In the missive, Boris Johnson and Michael Gove instruct the Prime Minister in blunt terms to ‘underline her resolve’ to achieve a total break with Brussels

* They accuse Chancellor Philip Hammond of not showing ‘sufficient energy’

* They set out their own hard Brexit manifesto – including naming June 30, 2021, as the fixed end of Britain’s transition period after we leave the EU in March 2019

By SIMON WALTERS and GLEN OWEN FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 22:03, 11 November 2017 | UPDATED: 11:22, 12 November 2017
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5073567/Boris-Gove-s-plot-hijack-Number-10-exposed.html

Government insiders say the letter, the contents of which have been made known to The Mail on Sunday, was sent last month. It will send shockwaves around the Government.

A well-placed source said it suggested Mr Gove and Mr Johnson were running what was tantamount to a ‘hard Brexit cell’ inside the Cabinet.

The cloak-and-dagger nature of the ultimatum is illustrated by the James Bond-style instruction that the letter is ‘for your and Gavin’s eyes only’ – a reference to Mrs May’s No 10 chief of staff, the former Conservative MP Gavin Barwell.

It is understood the letter was delivered to him by hand by Mr Johnson. But the pair could face a backlash for appearing to order her not to show it to other Cabinet Ministers or Whitehall mandarins.

...IN PATRONISING LETTER HANDED TO CHIEF OF STAFF

EU Exit – Next Steps.

‘For your and Gavin’s eyes only.’

Your approach is governed by sensible pragmatism. That does not in any way dilute our ambition to be a fully independent self-governing country by the time of the next election.

If we are to counter those who wish to frustrate that end, there are ways of underlining your resolve.

We are profoundly worried that in some parts of Government the current preparations are not proceeding with anything like sufficient energy.

We have heard it argued by some that we cannot start preparations on the basis of ‘No Deal’ because that would undermine our obligation of ‘sincere co-operation’ with the EU. If taken seriously, that would leave us over a barrel in 2021.

We all want you to push your agenda forward with confidence and have your Government articulate the following...

Yours,

Boris and Michael

...
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5073567/Boris-Gove-s-plot-hijack-Number-10-exposed.html