Furious Brexiteers double down on personal attacks on Theresa May

Furious Brexiteers doubled down on their attacks on Theresa May today as a former defence minister blasted 'she just doesn't listen'.

Mark Francois said Mrs May had been led to disaster by pro-EU civil servants and had destroyed the government's hopes by 'alienating' the DUP.  

The furious intervention came as the PM fought off a Cabinet implosion over her Brexit deal as it emerged Michael Gove and other senior ministers will not quit.

The Prime Minister will be breathing a sigh of relief after Mr Gove, Penny Mordaunt, Chris Grayling and Andrea Leadsom, signalled they will stay on despite a massive revolt by Tory Eurosceptics.

Trade Secretary Liam Fox also bolstered Mrs May's position by urging MPs to back the divorce package 'in the national interest' - saying: 'A deal is better than no deal.'   

The respite comes after a tumultuous 24 hours in which Mrs May's premiership had seemed to be hanging by a thread after the dramatics departures of Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey.

Mr Gove had sparked speculation by turning down the chance of taking over from Mr Raab, saying he would only do so if he could renegotiate the deal with Brussels.

But he told reporters today that he had confidence in the PM - without giving a full-hearted endorsement of the agreement she has reached. 

'I absolutely do,' he said. 'I am looking forward to continuing to work with all colleagues in Government and in Parliament to get the best future for Britain.'

A source close to Mr Gove told MailOnline: 'Michael is staying at Defra. He thinks it is important to keep working with Cabinet colleagues to ensure the best outcome for the country.' 

After an intense spell of lobbying from both Brexiteers and No10, Mr Gove and the other ministers are said to have formed a pact to work together to try and influence the future trade framework with the EU - which is separate from the divorce package agreed this week and is still being negotiated in Brussels.

In a phone in on LBC Radio, Mrs May said she was ready to be 'bloody minded' in facing down the raging rebellion by Tory Brexiteers - which could see her face a no-confidence vote within days.

'I truly believe this is the best deal,' she added. 





Mailonline