Theresa May joined by Hammond and Boris in Poland

Theresa May smiled as she was accidentally dubbed Madam Brexit today as she held talks with the Polish PM in a charm offensive to drum up support for a swift trade deal.

The Prime Minster was flanked by Boris Johnson and Philip Hammond as she travelled to Warsaw hours after losing Damian Green from her Cabinet in the porn row.

Mrs May held talks with Poland’s PM Mateusz Morawiecki, who backed Britain getting a swift free trade deal with the EU after Brexit.

The PM was joined by her closest cabinet lieutenants on the trip, including new defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

It comes as her premiership was plunged into fresh turmoil back at home after Mr Green was forced to quit after he was found to have lied about claims porn was found on his computer.

But Mrs May and her coterie of Cabinet ministers put on a united front as they travelled to the Eastern European country for talks. 

Members of the Polish and British governments stand together in Warsaw today. The PM made it clear that the EU believe in the rule of law when asked about the controversial changes 

Boris Johnson talks with Poland's Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski as he joined Theresa May in Warsaw for high level talks with the government as many of the  most senior Cabinet ministers travelled to the country for the meeting

Boris Johnson talks with Poland’s Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski as he joined Theresa May in Warsaw for high level talks with the government as many of the  most senior Cabinet ministers travelled to the country for the meeting

Chancellor Philip Hammond talks with Poland's Antoni Macierewicz as he also joined Theresa May on the trip. The Cabinet ministers put on a united front despite the political turmoil raging back home in Britain 

Chancellor Philip Hammond talks with Poland’s Antoni Macierewicz as he also joined Theresa May on the trip. The Cabinet ministers put on a united front despite the political turmoil raging back home in Britain 

Challenged about the reforms at a joint press conference with the Polish PM today, Mrs May said: ‘These constitutional issues are normally, and should be primarily a matter for the individual country concerned.’

‘Across Europe we collectively believe in the rule of law and I welcome the fact that Prime Minister Morawiecki has indicated that the will be speaking with the European Commission and I hope that will lead to a satisfactory resolution.’ 

Her deputy and close friend was sacked after an investigation found he has lied about claims porn was found on his office computer.

He is the third Cabinet minster in just six weeks to be forced to resign amid sleaze and scandal allegations.

And Mrs May is now facing a Christmas plotting how to shore up her leadership with a major Cabinet reshuffle.

A major diplomatic row has erupted over Poland’s hugely controversial reforms to the judiciary, which critics say is chipping away at the country’s democracy.

Mrs May touched down in the midst of the diplomatic storm in Warsaw this morning as her premiership was plunged into turmoil at home after the sacking of Damian Green, pictured outside his London home this morning. He was sacked after he was found to have lied about claims porn was discovered on his office computer in 2008

Mrs May touched down in the midst of the diplomatic storm in Warsaw this morning as her premiership was plunged into turmoil at home after the sacking of Damian Green, pictured outside his London home this morning. He was sacked after he was found to have lied about claims porn was discovered on his office computer in 2008

Speaking ahead of the trip, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Mrs May would ‘raise her concerns’ over the changes with her Polish counterpart Mr Morawiecki.

The Polish PM has been in office for less than a fortnight after the last leader, Beata Szydlo, resigned.

Mrs May is being joined on the trip by Boris Johnson and Amber Rudd, and will visit troops in the country during her visit.

British Prime Ministers have made the visit regularly in recent years to shore up our close relationship with Poland  in the face of Russian aggression in the region.

But it is likely to be mired in controversy as critics question if the PM should be making the trip as the undemocratic reforms are ushered in.

Brussels yesterday ‘the rule of law is under threat’ in Poland and accused the government of a ‘naked abuse of political power.  

Downing Street said Mrs May would raise the issue in Warsaw tomorrow, while also trying to secure Polish support in the coming Brexit trade talks.

Mrs May’s spokesman said: ‘We place great importance on respect for the rule of law and expect all our partners to abide by international norms and standards.

Theresa May met with  her Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki in Warsaw today where they will hold talks . But her visit comes amid international condemnation at controversial reforms to the law courts which critics say is eroding the country's democracy

Theresa May met with her Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki in Warsaw today where they will hold talks . But her visit comes amid international condemnation at controversial reforms to the law courts which critics say is eroding the country’s democracy

Theresa May (pictured with Mateusz Morawiecki) touched down in the midst of the diplomatic storm in Warsaw this morning as her premiership was plunged into turmoil at home after the sacking of Damian Green.

Theresa May (pictured with Mateusz Morawiecki) touched down in the midst of the diplomatic storm in Warsaw this morning as her premiership was plunged into turmoil at home after the sacking of Damian Green.

‘The Prime Minister will raise her concerns with Mr Morawiecki when they meet tomorrow. 

‘We hope Poland and the Commission can resolve this through discussion.’

Asked if Mrs May’s visit should be seen as an ‘endorsement’ of the Polish government, the spokesman added: ‘We have a strong bilateral relationship with Poland. We have shared interests going forward in areas such as security, in particular. 

‘They are an important partner and we will continue to work with them.’ 

The triggering of Article 7 was widely expected and EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans said that ‘we are doing this for Poland, for Polish citizens’ so they can rely on a fully independent judiciary in their nation, which is a key underpinning of EU principles.

Theresa May meets with World War II veteran Colonel Wlodzimierz Cieszkowski in Warsaw today as the Polish PM watches on

Theresa May meets with World War II veteran Colonel Wlodzimierz Cieszkowski in Warsaw today as the Polish PM watches on

Mr Timmermans said that despite the measure indicating that ‘the rule of law is under threat’ he remained open to dialogue with Warsaw to remedy this abuse ‘of naked political power.’

Polish justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, however, insisted that despite the EU measure, Poland will continue to ‘reform’ its justice system. 

Poland’s justice minister says the European Union member will continue its overhaul of the justice system despite an unprecedented censure from EU leaders.

Zbigniew Ziobro, who co-authored the controversial reorganization of the justice system and whose powers are strengthened by it, said he received news that the EU had launched the procedure with ‘calm.’

He said Poland needs to continue with it, and that Poland ‘will only be a significant EU member when it has a well-functioning justice system.’

He insisted its provisions were drawn from justice systems of western EU members.

In a signal of the division the decision will cause across Europe, Hungary’s deputy prime minister says the EU decision to launch proceedings against Poland is ‘unprecedented and astounding.’

Zsolt Semjen, also head of Hungary’s Christian Democrat party, said the EU’s decision Wednesday ‘seriously damages Poland’s sovereignty.’

Semjen said Hungary would oppose the EU Commission’s move ‘at every forum’ and defend Poland from the ‘unjust political procedure.’  



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