- Brexit Secretary David Davis quits Theresa May's government in dramatic late-night resignation.
- Davis, who campaigned for Brexit, told Prime Minister May that it is looking "less and less likely" that she'll keep her promise to leave the single market and customs union.
- He told BBC radio:
- May said she was "sorry" to see Davis go in two-and-a-half page response, but disagreed with his description of the state of Brexit talks.
- Davis quit after May revealed a plan to stay wedded to EU trade and customs rules.
ADVERTISEMENT
Brexit Secretary David Davis quits Theresa May's government
The resignation of David Davis came two days after the UK cabinet supported Prime Minister Theresa May's plan for a "soft" Brexit. "The best person to do this would be somebody who believes in it, not me," Davis told BBC radio.
ADVERTISEMENT
Recommended articles
LONDON — UK Brexit Secretary David Davis resigned from Theresa May's government on Sunday night, in protest against the prime minister's approach to negotiations with the EU and shift towards a softer Brexit.
Davis, who has been leading negotiations for the UK, said in a letter to May that
May is set to announce Davis' successor on Monday morning.
ADVERTISEMENT
In a letter responding to Davis, the prime minister said she was "sorry" about his departure but added that she did not agree with his characterisation of the state of Brexit talks.
Related content
Davis dramatic late-night resignation came just days after he along with the rest of May's Cabinet agreed to support the prime minister's plan for a softer Brexit at a meeting of ministers in Buckinghamshire.
Under May's proposal, the UK would stay wedded to the EU standards for the trade and goods and collect EU tariffs on the bloc's behalf, in order to preserve frictionless trade and the open Irish border.
However, it would make new free trade deals with certain countries, like the USA, much less likely, and would leave the UK under some influence of the European Court of Justice. An eight-page critique of the plan, circulated by pro-Brexit Conservative MPs, described it as the "worst of all words."
ADVERTISEMENT
"The Cabinet decision on Friday crystallised the problem," Davis said about the plan in his letter to May, calling himself a "reluctant conscript" if he had stayed in the role to push May's plans.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Davis' resignation proved the Conservative government was
FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
ADVERTISEMENT
Recommended articles
OPEC excited about partnership with Namibia
The US loses to Russia and China in popularity across Africa
Top 10 most valuable South African brands in 2024
Africa's giants play tug of war for the top economic spot
Morocco is making giant strides to become Africa's aviation manufacturing hub
Hackers test their ransomwares in less protected regions like Africa before striking richer nations: Report
Top social media platforms used for agriculture in Kenya - Survey
African countries with the fastest-growing military strength in 2024
