Agriculture minister George Eustice has resigned over Theresa May's decision to allow a vote on delaying Brexit if her deal is rejected again by MPs.

Mr Eustice said that while he would vote for her deal when it comes back before MPs, he wants to be "free to participate in the critical debate that will take place in the weeks ahead".

The MP for Camborne and Redruth in Cornwall said in his resignation letter that he fears events in Parliament this week "will lead to a series of events culminating in the EU dictating the terms of any extension requested and the final humiliation of our country".

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Mrs May said in response that she was "very sorry" to receive his letter of resignation, but she was "glad to know that you will continue to support the Withdrawal Agreement so that we can leave with a deal on 29 March".

The PM said this should be "our absolute focus".


It comes after she promised MPs votes on a no-deal Brexit or a delay to leaving, if the Commons once again rejects her EU withdrawal agreement.

The PM vowed to give MPs the chance to express their consent for either outcome should they vote down her revised Brexit deal, which she has pledged to bring back to the Commons by 12 March.

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Last month, MPs overwhelmingly rejected her agreement with Brussels and - if this were to happen again - they will now get a vote on whether to support the UK leaving the EU without a divorce deal by 13 March.

If the Commons rejects a no-deal Brexit, which is likely, MPs will then get a vote on a "short, limited extension" to the Article 50 period by 14 March.

This would postpone Brexit beyond the UK's scheduled departure date of 29 March, although Mrs May argued a "one-off" extension to the Article 50 period - the two-year period for negotiating Britain's exit which began in March 2017 - could only last to the end of June.

Mr Eustice, who backed leave in the 2016 referendum, said he would vote for Mrs May's deal when it comes back before MPs.

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But he said Britain should not be fearful of leaving without a deal.

Accusing Brussels of failing to conduct the exit negotiations "honourably", he added: "If the position of Parliament is now that we will refuse to leave without an agreement then we are somewhat stuck.

"This is uncomfortable for everyone, but we cannot negotiate a successful Brexit unless we are prepared to walk through the door.

"We must therefore have the courage, if necessary, to reclaim our freedom first and talk afterwards.

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"We must be ready to face down the European Union here and now.

"The absence of an agreement poses risks and costs for them too."

Environment Secretary Michael Gove paid tribute to Mr Eustice, tweeting: "So sorry to see George go. He has been a brilliant minister and will remain a dear friend. He leaves an outstanding legacy, with the Agriculture and Fisheries Bills setting domestic policy for the first time in nearly 50 years. He will be very much missed."

Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson, who also quit the government over Brexit, said: "George Eustice is brave and right - and his superb letter to the PM shows that no deal may yet be the best option for the U.K."

But critics said his departure showed the government was in disarray.

Labour MP Susan Elan Jones, a supporter of the People's Vote campaign for a second referendum, said it showed "the prime minister is, despite the constant claims otherwise, no nearer getting her deal through Parliament".

On the subject of any delay to Brexit, EU negotiator Michel Barnier said it "must serve not to put off the problem but to resolve the problem".

"Today, above all we need decisions, much more than extra time," he said.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington has held talks with Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney in Dublin.

Mr Coveney said the EU may provide an "addition" to the Withdrawal Agreement in a bid to British MPs' concerns surrounding the backstop, but Brussels would not be renegotiating the deal itself.