Jeremy Hunt says he missed yesterday’s crucial no-deal Brexit vote by accident.
A string of ministers abstained on the vote, which could block the next Prime Minister from shutting down Parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit .
The government was defeated by 41 votes, with many MPs seeing it as an opportunity to hand Boris Johnson a defeat before he even becomes Prime Minister.
The Foreign Secretary did not vote, but he insists he wasn’t making a point.
He said he was under the impression he had been “slipped” - given permission by party whips to be absent for the vote.
But according to the Telegraph, Chief Whip Julian Smith did not share this view, and was unimpressed by Mr Hunt’s absence.
Some 46 Tory MPs abstained or voted against the motion - an amendment to the Northern Ireland bill.
Mr Hunt tweeted: “I missed votes to day because I thought I was slipped and it turns out I was not.
“Apologies to my colleagues and whips office.
“My position is that Parliament should NOT restrict the hands of an incoming govt in this way and I remain opposed to how Parliament voted.”
A government source told the Telegraph: “Hunt and his supporters were told they would be needed and they all came back and said they understood.
“Jeremy was texted last week and acknowledged it.
“Now they are saying they were confused.. It does make you question exactly what lies behind this.”
