David Davis is accused of ‘dragging feet’ on Brexit bill

  • David Davis is at the centre of a new Cabinet row over the EU Withdrawal Bill
  • Legislation was expected to return to parliament for more scrutiny last week
  • But the Bill is now not going to be back in the Commons until next month

A fresh Cabinet rift has opened up on Brexit after David Davis was accused by colleagues of dragging his feet on bringing crucial legislation back to parliament.

The Brexit Secretary is facing criticism for failing to meet Tory rebels to woo them into supporting the EU Withdrawal Bill.

The laws had been expected to return to the Commons last week – but MPs will now not resume working on the package until next month. Around 400 amendments are set to be tabled, with the government fearing defeat on dozens of them. 

Brexit Secretary David Davis has been accused of ‘dragging his feet’ over wooing Tory rebels

The issue exploded at a crunch summit in No 10 on Monday attended by Theresa May. 

Sources said the atmosphere was ‘very uncomfortable’ and ‘ugly’.

One source claimed Mr Davis had been ‘dragged in’ to explain the delays.

‘He’s blaming everyone else for the delay. The trouble is he just isn’t doing any of the necessary legwork,’ they said.

‘He is supposed to be meeting with rebels like Nicky Morgan and Dominic Grieve but the meetings simply haven’t happened. 

‘He’s off doing the negotiations but there is also the important business of getting Brexit legislation through the Commons.’ 

A Brexit Department source dismissed the jibes, saying critics were ‘offloading blame’.

The meeting was called to address why the Bill, which is necessary to make sure Brexit happens without chaos, hasn’t yet come before Parliament for its committee stage. 

The PM is said to be ‘unhappy’ with the delays to the Bill, which has been pushed back to mid-November.

A source close to Mr Davis said he ‘meets with colleagues regularly’.

A No 10 source said the PM ‘thinks David Davis is doing an excellent job’. 

Mr Davis has been accused of prioritising the Brexit talks with Michel Barnier (pictured right) ahead of pushing through domestic legislation

Mr Davis has been accused of prioritising the Brexit talks with Michel Barnier (pictured right) ahead of pushing through domestic legislation

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