Michael Gove: I'm not quitting but I still have serious doubts about Brexit deal

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Michael Gove pulled back from the brink of quitting Cabinet today - but Theresa May faced growing claims that a confidence vote in her leadership is imminent.

In a possible sign of panic stations in Downing Street, Conservative whips were unexpectedly summoned to Westminster even though the House was not sitting.

No 10 gave no explanation for the sudden activity on a day normally reserved for local constituency business.

A Cabinet level resignation was still being threatened by Penny Mordaunt, the International Development Secretary, who smiled weakly when doorstepped by reporters asking if she quitting, but said nothing.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove arrives at his office in Westminster today 
PA

Her position looked less tenable after Mrs May firmly ruled out her call for a free vote on the Brexit terms.

Three new letters were sent calling for a vote of confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership, though there was not the massive deluge some had predicted.

Tory MP Chris Green sent a further letter this afternoon, and tweeted: “With a heavy heart, I confirm that I have put my letter in calling for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister, Theresa May.” It raised the total of known letters to 21.

Former whip Mark Francois, a former senior whip and leading Brexiteer, told the Standard that the PM’s withdrawal deal was a betrayal of the 2016 referendum: “We gave our word to the British people that we would honour the referendum result,” he said. “If we do not the backlash will be unstoppable.”

Michael Gove is staying in his post as Environment Secretary
Getty Images

Ex-Cabinet minister John Whittingdale also announced that he had written to Sir Graham Brady, the 1922 Committee chairman who keeps a secret tally. “Yes, I have sent a letter to Graham Brady,” he said. Under party rules, 48 letters would trigger a vote of confidence by Tory MPs.

Theresa May pictured leaving the LBC radio studio this morning

Maria Caulfield, MP for Lewes, was the third, bringing the total number of known letters to 20.

Mrs May had a moment of respite from the firestorm engulfing her premiership when Mr Gove sheathed his blade for now, saying to friends he would “keep the show on the road” and hoped to be “part of the solution”.

The Environment Secretary spent two days agonising over whether he could support the 585-page withdrawal agreement, wresting with concerns about the Irish backstop.

aria Caulfield, MP for Lewes, submitted a letter of no confidence today
Getty

He looked pale and tense when he left his West London home this morning, surrounded by reporters. Mr Gove said “good morning” as he was driven off.

As he left the Defra office, Mr Gove was asked if he had confidence in the Prime Minister and replied: "I absolutely do."

He added: "I am looking forward to continuing to work with all colleagues in Government and in Parliament to get the best future for Britain."

Friends of the Cabinet big beast said: “He told the PM this morning he would stay in the job. He thought about resigning and has serious concerns about the deal.

“But it is more important to keep the show on the road and keep the government as cohesive as possible.

“He felt resigning would be a destructive rather than a constructive act. He wants to try and be part of the solution and try and get the best possible outcome.”

Whitehall sources, meanwhile, said reports that Mr Gove supported the deal in Cabinet were wrong, and that he had made clear he needed assurances on a string of issues, mainly around the Irish border backstop.

Mr Gove’s wife, the journalist Sarah Vine, predicted Mrs May to stay in her job. “She will win a no-confidence [vote],” she tweeted.

Allies of Ms Mordaunt said she was still weighing up her decision. She looked tense when she got into her car this morning without a word. Her departure was made more likely when Mrs May ruled out giving MPs and ministers a free vote on the Brexit deal.

Asked on LBC if ministers could have a free vote, Mrs May said: “There is Cabinet collective responsibility in this country. Government policy is Government policy.

“There is Cabinet responsibility. The Government will put its policy to the House of Commons.”

Her words appeared to leave open the possibility of backbenchers getting a free vote - but that was later ruled out by No 10 sources.

Even more dangerously, the PM said she could not guarantee the support of the DUP in a Brexit vote.

“When this vote comes back every individual MP will decide how they will vote, whether they are DUP, Conservative, Labour, all parties within the House of Commons,” she said.

A Tory MP commented: “The confidence and supply deal is at breaking point - the DUP no longer trust her.”

Asked if she could afford to lose Mr Gove from her Government, Mrs May said: “I want all of my colleagues in the Cabinet to feel able to carry on doing the excellent job they are doing.”

She added: “Michael has done a really important job at Defra.... and particularly doing a great job... on the fishing industry.”

Mrs May spent 30 minutes answer questions from callers, including critics who branded her a “modern Neville Chamberlain” and one who said Jacob Rees-Mogg should take over.

The Prime Minister is understood to be planning an intensive media drive to sell her agreement direct to the public.

Mrs May revealed her insulin supplies come from Denmark, meaning she is one of those facing medicine shortages in a no-deal Brexit.

“I need insulin every day,” she said. “As it happens mine is produced by a company in the European Union”

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