Sajid Javid warned No 10 that he would come out against Theresa May’s favoured plan for a Brexit customs deal

Theresa May knew on Tuesday night that her attempt to drive her favoured customs plan through the Brexit “war cabinet” was doomed.

Sajid Javid, the new home secretary and the sub-committee’s latest member, warned Downing Street that he would come out against the so-called hybrid model. Given that his predecessor, Amber Rudd, was a firm advocate of the “customs partnership”, his switch was crucial in tipping the balance of opinion on the body.

Mrs May nevertheless made clear that it remained her favoured option. At the meeting yesterday she said that despite its drawbacks she believed it had the best chance of securing the support of Brussels and parliament.

The meeting began with a presentation by Olly Robbins, her chief Brexit adviser, who summarised the