A former leader of Britain's Conservative Party says he cannot support the Brexit deal negotiated by Prime Minister Theresa May.

Michael Howard said Sunday that May's deal has many shortcomings, adding: "It's not a deal that is a good deal for the UK."

Howard says the biggest problem is the way Britain would have to seek European Union permission to sever all ties to the EU if a "backstop" agreement comes into force.

"That seems to me to be an absolute negation of taking control, that would put us in a worse position than we are now," he told BBC Radio.

Howard was party leader when the Conservatives were defeated by Tony Blair and Labour in 2005. He serves in the House of Lords.

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