May's Brexit chief quits over draft deal with EU

Britain's Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Dominic Raab leaves Downing Street to attend Prime Minister's questions in London. Picture: Matt Dunham/AP

Britain's Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Dominic Raab leaves Downing Street to attend Prime Minister's questions in London. Picture: Matt Dunham/AP

Published Nov 15, 2018

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 PretLondon - Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has resigned from Prime Minister Theresa May's government in opposition to the draft deal she has agreed for leaving the European Union.

"I cannot in good conscience support the terms proposed for our deal with the EU," Raab tweeted.

"Above all, I cannot reconcile the terms of the proposed deal with the promises we made to the country in our manifesto at the last election," he said in a copy of a letter addressed to May, which he posted alongside his tweet.

On Wednesday, May secured the backing of her cabinet for the withdrawal agreement, which spells out the terms of Britain's departure from the EU, as well as an outline declaration on the future relationship.

Today, I have resigned as Brexit Secretary. I cannot in good conscience support the terms proposed for our deal with the EU. Here is my letter to the PM explaining my reasons, and my enduring respect for her. pic.twitter.com/tf5CUZnnUz

— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) November 15, 2018

"This is, at its heart, a matter of public trust," Raab said.

Without a transitional agreement in place, EU laws would no longer apply in Britain after March 29, 2019, likely triggering chaos and economic pain in both Britain and the EU.

dpa 

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