Theresa May today insisted Brexit will go ahead even if Whitehall analysis says it could harm the economy.
The Prime Minister said she would look at forecasts for the impact of leaving the EU but it was crucial the government ‘does what the British people want us to do’.
The defiant stance came amid a huge row over a leaked study that suggested the economy will take a hit whatever deal is done with Brussels.
UK plc would be up to 9 per cent smaller in 15 years time than if it remained in the bloc, according to the assessment.
The Prime Minister, pictured meeting schoolchildren with husband Philp in Shanghai today, said she would look at forecasts for the impact of leaving the EU but it was crucial the government ‘does what the British people want us to do’
Mrs and Mr May did a walkabout in Shanghai today as the three day visit drew to a close
But the document sparked a furious backlash from Eurosceptics who condemned it as the latest tranche of Project Fear.
Brexit minister Steve Baker was forced to apologise last night after delivering a veiled jibe about civil servants producing evidence in a bid to stop Brexit.
In a round of broadcast interviews as she wrapped up her trip to China this morning, Mrs May made clear that the economy was not the only consideration in Brexit.
‘It’s important of course that the government looks at the analysis that is available,’ she told ITV News.
‘But of course it’s also important that the government does what the British people want us to do — the British people want us to leave the European Union and that is what we will be doing.’
Mrs May also backed Mr Baker after he was forced to retract comments in the House of Commons yesterday about the actions of civil servants.
Mr Baker told MPs he had heard an ‘extraordinary’ claim from Charles Grant of the respected Centre for European Reform think-tank that evidence was being manipulated in Whitehall.
But Mr Grant hit back insisting that he had not said the Treasury was deliberately concocting dire warnings to keep Britain in the customs union.
Mr Baker retracted his remarks after a recording of the exchange emerged with Mr Grant stating that the Treasury is ‘determined’ to stay in the customs union – but not going further.
The row erupted as Theresa May’s allies fought to quell anxiety that she is ‘going soft on Brexit’ and getting ready to change her position and keep the UK in the EU customs union.
Trade Secretary Liam Fox said his colleagues ought to pay more attention to the ‘leadership’ the PM was giving on the world stage.
Mrs May was show the Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai after spending the trip pushing for more trade with the guant economy
Brexit minister Steve Baker (pictured in Parliament yesterday) apologised after issuing a thinly-veiled hint that Treasury civil servants are drawing up purposely gloomy economic forecasts in a bid to keep the UK in the EU customs union.
A Tory civil war is raging over Brexit and Mrs May’s visit to China has been dogged by claims she is about to be ousted.
Rumours are swirling in Westminster MPs could force a leadership contest.
Brexiteers are anxious about delays to the first piece of legislation intended to make contingencies for a no-deal Brexit.
The Road Haulage Bill is supposed to set out how British lorries will still be licensed in Europe but it has been pulled amid confidence a deal of some kind will be secured.
Brexiteers insist provision must be made for an immediate end to the talks and fear postponing the legislation is a signal Mrs May is going ‘soft’, the Times reported.
But Trade Secretary Liam Fox, who was with Mrs May in China, has called on party colleagues to stop obsessing about domestic politics and take note of how she is viewed by leaders overseas.