A Government minister has questioned whether Brexit should go ahead if damaging assessments of Britain’s economic prospects are accurate.
In a highly unusual and hugely significant intervention, Conservative Philip Lee asked whether Theresa May could “legitimately lead a country along a path that the evidence and rational consideration indicate would be damaging” after leaked papers laid bare the potential economic damage of withdrawal.
The documents indicate the UK will be worse off outside the European Union than it would if it stayed in, irrespective of whether or not a trade deal is struck .
Mrs May, who is currently on a trip to China aimed at forging economic ties, has promised she will publish the analysis so that Parliament is “fully informed” before voting on the deal.
It comes as peers in the Lords debate the EU (Withdrawal) Bill for a second day. Over 90 Lords are lined up to speak, and proceedings could go beyond 10pm.
Meanwhile, Labour’s Emily Thornberry is expected to face Cabinet minister David Lidington at Prime Minister’s Questions later today.
The Prime Minister arrived in Beijing for her three-day visit on Wednesday morning.
