Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab quits

Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has resigned, saying he “cannot in good conscience support the terms proposed for our deal with the EU”.

Theresa May announced on Wednesday evening that she had secured the backing of her cabinet for the agreement, after a five hour meeting.

But it is understood several ministers have spoken against it.

And there are suggestions of moves among Conservative backbenchers to force a no-confidence vote in her.

Raab’s resignation comes after Northern Ireland minister Shailesh Vara also resigned in protest over the proposed deal.

In a letter to May, Raab said: “I understand why you have chosen to pursue the deal with the EU on the terms proposed, and I respect the different views held in good faith by all of our colleagues.

“For my part, I cannot support the proposed deal for two reasons.

“First I believe that the regulatory regime proposed for Northern Ireland presents a very real threat to the integrity of the United Kingdom.

“Second, I cannot support an indefinite backstop arrangement, where the EU holds a veto over our ability to exit. The terms of the backstop amount to a hybrid of the EU customs union and single market obligations.

“No democratic nation has ever signed up to be bound by such an extensive regime, imposed externally without any democratic control over the laws to be applied, nor the ability to decide to exit the arrangement.”

He added: “Ultimately, you deserve a Brexit secretary who can make the case for the deal you are pursuing with conviction. I am only sorry, in good conscience, that I cannot.”

May is due to give a statement to the Commons on Thursday morning.

The UK is due to leave the European Union on 29 March, 2019.