Davis Davis COULD QUIT as Brexit Secretary after ‘being frozen out of negotiations’
ALLIES of David Davis have suggested he could quit as Brexit Secretary over frustration at being frozen out of key strategic talks on the UK's divorce from the European Union, it has been reported.
It is feared that Mr Davis will resign from his position in protest at not being shown a key Brexit Cabinet paper sent by Boris Johnson and Michael Gove to Theresa May.
Mr Davis, who is known as “DD” and is a vocal supporter of Brexit, previously quit as Shadow Home Secretary in a sudden move under David Cameron’s leadership in 2008.
According to allies of Mr Davis, the Prime Minister has been “captured” by Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood and Oliver Robbins, former Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) who currently works as an adviser to Mrs May.
One ally of the Brexit Secretary told the Telegraph: “The officials are forming a phalanx around the PM and they are trying to cut DExEu out the loop and move the centre of gravity to Number 10. DD is becoming increasingly frustrated.
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“People forget DExEu does not actually formulate policy – the policy is all formulated in the Exiting the EU Cabinet committee.
“All DExEU does is act as an executive for the policy which is formed elsewhere.”
Mr Davis’ ally added: “We are arriving at a crucial stage in negotiations, we have got the European council in December which is make or break.
“We have to be careful of the idea that we just chuck money at it – which is what is coming from Olly Robbins and Jeremy Heywood.
“The last thing we need is if he walks out - God knows who she Theresa May will replace him with. If he gets really fed up he will do something. He will be pushed to the brink.
“The policy is being developed in small cabals around the Prime Minister consisting of pro-Remain civil servants. He is in Downing St but he might as well be in Doncaster."
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However, a source close to the Brexit Secretary has denied reports that he would resign, claiming: "This is completely wrong and anyone pushing this nonsense in order to undermine Brexit is going to be sorely disappointed."
The news comes after Mr Davis said he expected to step down as Brexit Secretary at the end of negotiations.
Speaking at conference in Germany, he said: “When the Brexit process comes to an end, I’ll come to an end too, I won’t be there. I have no ambitions beyond that.”
