- David Davis, the UK’s Brexit secretary, has resigned from the cabinet following Friday’s summit at Chequers.
- In his resignation letter he blamed the “dilution” of what he said was a firm Chequers agreement, delays to the white paper, and omissions from the “backstop” customs proposal that would leave the UK in a “weak negotiating position” at best. He says his role requires an “enthusiastic believer” in May’s approach rather than a “reluctant conscript”.
- He was followed by deputy, Steve Baker, but reports that another Brexit minister Suella Braverman, had also quit proved to be incorrect.
- Theresa May responded with a letter voicing her sorrow that he is leaving just eight months before the UK’s official withdrawal from the EU. She said she disagreed with his characterisation of what was agreed at Chequers on Friday, saying powers would be returned to the UK from Brussels and that MPs would get to vote on areas where the idea of a “common rulebook” with the EU would be applied.
- Dominic Raab, a Brexit-supporting minister, has been promoted to replace Davis as Brexit secretary. Other names that had been canvassed included Michael Gove, the environment secretary; David Lidington, the cabinet office minister; and Chris Grayling, the transport secretary.
- Theresa May is due to address the House of Commons on Monday afternoon.
- Vocal pro-Brexit MPs welcomed Davis’s move, with Andrea Jenkyns saying the next step was to make this a “game changer for Brexit” and calling for Boris Johnson to act.
- Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the pro-Brexit European Research Group faction, said the prime minister “would be well advised to reconsider” the Brexit vision she believed she had secured at Friday’s cabinet summit at Chequers.
