The Sun carries a story today covering a letter written by a clutch of well-known figures, expressing deep concerns that Theresa May’s Brexit deal “surrenders British national security” and compromises UK Intelligence capabilities.

The signatories – including Sir Richard Dearlove, former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service – call on the Prime Minister to instead seek a departure from the EU on WTO terms on the basis that “no risks are greater than the Withdrawal Agreement’s terms of surrender”.

I have obtained a copy of the full text of the letter which I reproduce below.

What is being presented to British citizens as “the best deal available” is the exact opposite of the people’s instruction to take back control. For the first time in its history, Parliament is being asked to suspend its own sovereignty: it has no constitutional or moral right to do this. Any legislator that votes for it will not be forgiven.

The ‘deal’ surrenders British national security by subordinating UK defence forces to Military EU control and compromising UK Intelligence capabilities. It puts at risk the fundamental Anglosphere alliances, specifically the vital Five Eyes Alliance and thereby threatens western security.

This surrender is to an undemocratic organisation, the European Commission. The last two years have demonstrated how untrustworthy and hostile towards the UK the EC is, notably its use of the Irish border as a weapon.

The EC offers subordination, not partnership. The only way to leave the EU is by declaration that from 29th March 2019 Great Britain will deal fairly with the EU as it does with the rest of the world. No ransom should be paid.

Mrs May has completely failed to understand that this vote was on an issue of principle: sovereignty.

To leave on WTO terms is now the only viable way to leave the EU and we urge British people to ignore the hysterical demonisation of this course of action by the current Project Fear, just as they ignored its scare-mongering predecessor in 2016. No risks are greater than the Withdrawal Agreement’s terms of surrender. The people voted to take back control of our sovereignty, not for a colonial status.

Mrs May has broken trust with the British people as she has lost the trust of so many of her Ministers.

Sir Richard Dearlove (former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service)

Sir Rocco Forte (Chairman, Rocco Forte Hotels)

Martin Howe QC (Chairman, Lawyers for Britain)

Lord Lawson (Former Chancellor of the Exchequer)

Sir Paul Marshall (Chairman of Marshall Wace Asset Management and Co-Chairman of Prosperity UK)

Major General Julian Thompson (Chairman, Veterans for Britain)

Lord Trimble (Former First Minister of Northern Ireland and Nobel Peace Prize winner)