Brexit news latest: Ministers 'hold secret talks in bid to stop no-deal outcome'

Amber Rudd is said to have urged Downing Street to permit a free vote on the option to block a no deal Brexit
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Government ministers have been secretly meeting to discuss plans aimed at stopping a no-deal Brexit, according to reports.

The group, which includes five Cabinet members, is said to have held talks on the best way to avoid economic damage caused by crashing out of the bloc.

Discussions held last week centred on an amendment tabled by senior Labour MP Yvette Cooper to take the no-deal option off the table by extending Article 50, The Telegraph reported.

It is understood that 18 ministers in total attended, including Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, Chancellor Philip Hammond and David Gauke, the Justice Secretary.

Under pressure: Theresa May speaks in the House of Commons
AP

The reports came as ministers were set to hold discussions with trade union leaders as Mrs May continues her battle to keep a grip on the EU withdrawal agenda.

The union chiefs’ Whitehall discussions, which will be held at Whitehall, are expected to involve the Prime Minister and begin later on Thursday.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady, Len McCluskey of Unite, Dave Prentis of Unison and Tim Roache of the GMB, will all hold separate meetings with ministers.

The discussions are part of Mrs May's bid to gain political backing for a Brexit agenda that would command a majority in the Commons.

It comes after her plans were heavily rejected by MPs.

There appeared to be growing support in Labour ranks for a parliamentary bid by former minister Yvette Cooper to extend Article 50, which would keep the UK in the EU longer, unless a deal is reached by the end of February.

Leading Brexiteers have attacked such initiatives, saying they would take control of events from the Government.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called for a vote in the Commons on holding a second public vote
AFP/Getty Images

Despite Jeremy Corbyn branding the PM's talks initiative a "stunt", a senior spokesman said the Labour leader's request for the party's MPs to boycott discussions with Mrs May did not extend to union leaders.

The Labour spokesman said: "As Jeremy set out last week, he is more than ready to engage in talks with the Prime Minister on the basis that no-deal is taken off the table.

"I think that has been vindicated by subsequent events.

"Unless she makes clear that she is prepared to move and compromise and accept the reality of the position, then she is simply continuing to try to run down the clock and prevent any solution to this crisis.

"Of course it is absolutely right for union leaders to represent their members and to engage with the Government on issues that affect their members.

"There must be a majority in Parliament for any deal, including a mechanism to rule out no-deal.

"That is going to take place among the political parties."

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has said that this is a process of engagement across the House of Commons but also with other interested sectors.

"She has spoken to business leaders and she will be talking with union leaders.

"Issues I expect to be discussed will be around employment rights, environmental standards and those sorts of things."

Unions have been warning of the impact on jobs of a no-deal Brexit and have been pressing for assurances about employment rights after the UK leaves the EU.

Ms Cooper's Article 50 bid, which has cross-party backing including from Conservative Nick Boles, is one of a number of amendments that could be voted on next Tuesday if selected by Commons Speaker John Bercow.

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