Gavin Barwell is said to have approached the Lib Dems about working on areas such as mental health

Theresa May’s new chief of staff has made contact with the Liberal Democrats to ask for help in getting legislation through parliament, The Times has learnt.

Gavin Barwell spoke to his opposite number Ben Williams, Tim Farron’s chief of staff, on Thursday afternoon. He has also spoken in person to at least one high-profile Lib Dem MP, with a request for a meeting from a second.

The Conservatives confirmed that they had spoken about working together on areas on which they agree. The two parties have a number of shared priorities, such as mental health — the Queen’s Speech promised a bill to reform mental health legislation and ensure that mental health is prioritised by the NHS in England.

The Lib Dems claimed that the