As it happenedended

Westminster today - as it happened: Ministers questioned over 'civil servant Brexit conspiracy' to keep UK in EU customs union

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Thursday 01 February 2018 13:50 GMT

Theresa May meets with Chinese president Xi Jinping

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Theresa May met Chinese Premier Xi Jinping in Beijing, as she battled to keep her MPs onside at home.

The Prime Minister was hoping to make progress towards a post-Brexit trade deal with China, despite her International Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, warning that one might not be possible. Ms May gave Mr Xi a Blue Planet 2 box set, Downing Street said.

It came as Steve Baker, the Brexit minister, floated the claim in the Commons that civil servants may be distorting evidence to “influence” the Government to stay in the EU’s customs union.

The comments blindsided Downing Street, which said it was unaware that the allegation had been aired and declined to immediately comment.

Alongside Mr Baker, his boss – the Brexit Secretary David Davis – visibly winced as the minister confirmed the allegation, raised by his fellow anti-EU Tory, Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Meanwhile...

Ashley Cowburn1 February 2018 16:33

A No 10 spokesman said: “The minister made clear in the House that it was implausible that the Treasury would be deliberately trying to undermine government policy.And he added: “We have spoken to Steve Baker and we have no reason to doubt his account.” Brexit minister says civil servants may be secretly distorting evidence to influence Government to stay in EU customs unionThe IndependentCivil servants may be secretly distorting evidence to “influence” the Government to stay in the EU’s customs union, a Brexit minister has suggested. Steve Baker floated the conspiracy claim on the floor of the House of Commons, telling MPs he did not necessarily believe it – but did not rule it out.

Ashley Cowburn1 February 2018 16:41

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Westminster today - as it happened: Ministers questioned over 'civil servant Brexit conspiracy' to keep UK in EU customs union

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