Defiant May vows to face down Tory rebels in speech to cheering business leaders

Theresa May today insisted she has won a 'good' deal for Britain and is determined to deliver it - as she faced down rebel Cabinet ministers and Tory MPs.

The Prime Minister mounted another robust defence of the package thrashed out with Brussels despite the rising threat of a no-confidence vote by her own MPs.

In a speech to business leaders, she said the blueprint will allow the UK to regain control of immigration - while keeping ties with the EU strong and protecting jobs.

'The agreement is a good one for the UK. It fulfils the wishes of the British people as expressed in the 2016 referendum,' she said. 

'Let no one be in any doubt. I am determined to deliver it.'

Mrs May also urged the public to listen to businesses highlighting the threat to the economy from crashing out of the bloc, saying that such firms were 'providing your jobs that ensure that you have that income that puts food on the table for your family'.

Moving to quell calls from within Cabinet for the deal to be renegotiated, the premier made clear that there is no prospect of reopening the divorce talks - saying the task now was to finalise the future trade framework.  

EU foreign ministers underlined the choice facing Parliament as they arrived at a meeting in Brussels today, warning the package on the table is the 'best there is'. 

Chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the arrangements that had been painstakingly put together over nearly two years are 'fair and balanced' and the UK will be left in 'full control'.

Meanwhile, senior Tory figures have tried to head off a mutiny by MPs, with former chief whip Andrew Mitchell warning that the party would sustain massive damage if they were seen to 'hunt her down' as happened to Margaret Thatcher. 

Tory ex-leader Lord Howard also urged rebels to hold off, saying that while he personally opposes the Brexit deal it should be put to Parliament.





MailOnline