Theresa May loses justice minister as crucial Brexit vote looms

A junior minister has resigned in protest against the government’s handling of Brexit, with others reported to be threatening to do so, dealing a major blow to the Prime Minister on the day of a key Commons vote on the EU withdrawal bill.

In what is a major blow for Theresa May, justice minister Phillip Lee said he was “incredibly sad” to stand down but felt the need to serve the best interests of his constituents and future generations.

“If, in the future, I am to look my children in the eye and honestly say that I did my best for them I cannot, in all good conscience, support how our country’s current exit from the EU looks set to be delivered,” he said on Twitter.

Four more ministers are prepared to quit over Brexit after Lee's resignation, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Lee's resignation allows him to rebel against the government as the House of Commons debates amendments to the EU Withdrawal bill and could help tip the balance in favour of Tory rebels hoping to force the government into a softer Brexit.

Among the key votes will be over ‘Amendment 19’ to the Bill, which proposes that the Commons should be able to decide the next course of action if parliament rejects the final Brexit deal.

Of the 15 amendments added by the Lords, it is believed that the government will accept one amendment allowing the UK to opt to remain in EU agencies after Brexit, but force compromises on or outright refuse the remaining 14.

May negotiated a deal overnight to avoid a potential defeat over the customs union after backing an alternative amendment on the proposal for a customs union tabled by backbenchers Nicky Morgan and Jacob Rees-Mogg. Consequently, debate on the issue has been shelved until July, when two trade bills containing amendments that would keep the UK’s current customs arrangements with the EU return to the Commons.

Reports suggest that Lee could now face repercussions from his local party in his Bracknell constituency, which voted to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum. Chris Boutle, chairman of Bracknell Conservative Party, said: “Because we don’t have an election looming I don’t believe deselection is a sensible thing to do however if an election were to be called it will count against him.”