Brexit vote latest: Ex-head of MI6 urges Tories not to back Theresa May's deal as it 'threatens national security'

Jacob Jarvis10 January 2019
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A former head of MI6 has urged the Tories not to back Theresa May's Brexit deal over fears it threatens national security.

A letter from Sir Richard Dearlove was sent to the group of top Tories on Tuesday, Sky News reports.

This letter, co-signed by former chief of defence staff Lord Guthrie, warns them that the current agreement "abrogates" the UK's security and puts parts of this in the control of "foreign hands".

It then urged the chairs not to back the Prime Minister's plans and instead back a Brexit on World Trade Organisation rules.

Reports of the letter emerged as Mrs May was accompanying her Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on a visit to the UK. The pair went to Twickenham stadium together as part of the visit.

Mr Abe is expected to endorse her deal and discuss future trade relations between Japan and the UK.

The letter said: "The first duty of the state, above trade, is the security of its citizens.

"The withdrawal agreement abrogates this fundamental contract and would place control of aspects of our national security in foreign hands.

"Please ensure that your MP votes against this bad agreement and supports a sovereign Brexit on TWO rules."

Those are the terms which Britain would move on to if it were to leave in a no-deal scenario.

Sir Richard was head of the British Secret Intelligence Service from 1999 to 2004, while was chief of defence staff between 1997 and 2001.

The letter comes just days ahead of a "meaningful vote" on Mrs May's Brexit deal, which is expected to be held on Tuesday.

It was postponed after it was originally scheduled for December 11. The Prime Minister delayed the vote fearing the deal would not be passed by Parliament.

This fresh blow comes after a raft of political defeats for the Prime Minister in recent days, including Wednesday's lost vote on the Grieve amendment.

A controversial vote was held on that amendment in the Commons, which forces Mrs May to return to the House in three sitting days to present her Plan B should she lose the vote.

The much-maligned PM was also put under further pressure by opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn on Thursday, who urged her to call a general election.

In addition to this, a senior Government minister has urged MPs across Parliament to work together to prevent the "disaster" of a no-deal Brexit.

Business Secretary Greg Clark said it was clear there was no majority for leaving the EU without an agreement.

Mr Clark said he would support a series of "indicative votes" to try and discover what sort of agreement could command a majority in the House.

"It is my strong view that we need to come together. We need to act to avoid a no-deal because I don't think there is anything remotely like a majority in Parliament that will tolerate this," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

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