'It gives me no pleasure' Hammond explains rebellion as he is sacked in May crackdown
STEPHEN HAMMOND gave an interview explaining his part in the Tory rebellion gave him no pleasure moments before he was sacked as Vice Chairman of the Conservative party.
Mr Hammond was among a group of Tory MPs for rebelled against the Government handing Theresa May a defeat on the EU Withdrawal Bill.
Tory rebels led by former attorney general Dominic Grieve demanded a “meaningful vote” on the terms of the UK’s withdrawal bill.
This has dealt a blow to Mrs May’s plans for a take-it-or-leave-it final Brexit vote, with MPs now allowed to suggest new terms of Britain’s EU divorce.
It is believed 13 or 14 Conservative MPs joined Mr Grieve and Labour to defeat Theresa May.
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It’s the first time I’ve ever done it and it gives me no pleasure
Mr Hammond told Sky News: “I put my name to that amendment back in September.
“We tried to work with the Government to point out it was a point of principle for many of us.
“This is a way that restricts the extraordinary powers that are given out. It actually forces a meaningful vote at the end.
“It’s key that the Government moves on this. I’m very disappointed that they chose not to. We wanted to see something on the face of a bill, so it couldn’t be changed.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever done it and it gives me no pleasure.”
Mr Hammond refused to declare if he would vote against Mrs May once again as the Government attempts to write Britain’s EU departure date into law.
He did, however, say he hopes that the Government will consider its position after the defeat on Wednesday night.
A Number 10 source confirmed the sacking of Mr Hammond for his part in the Tory rebellion.
ITV’s Robert Peston said: “Stephen Hammond was sacked by whips from unpaid, busy role as Tory Vice Chairman within seconds of him voting to defeat Government.
“Slightly gives lie to the Government position that vote doesn’t really matter.”
Labour MP Chuka Umunna revelled in the Government’s defeat, declaring it “a start” to further EU losses for Mrs May.
He said: “What is the point of us being here if we are given a vote that is meaningless?
“Now we can actually do the job properly for our constituents in getting the best deal from the Brexit process.”
He added: “This is a start, and remember it is not about Members of Parliament in particular, it’s about the job we are put to do here for our constituents.”
