Michael Portillo insisted Remain MPs will continue to drive the Brexit policy of the British Government as he suggested the chances of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union are dwindling. Mr Portillo dismissed claims from defector Anna Soubry suggesting Brexiteers had taken over the party to promote plans for a hard Brexit, warning pro-Remain MPs will renew their attempts to soften the exit from the bloc. Speaking on This Week, the former Shadow Chancellor said: "Anna Soubry has this illusion that the Conservative Party is being driven by Brexiteers whereas all the evidence shows rather that contrary – that it’s being driven by the Remainers.
"I think the drive by the Remainers is likely to continue. I think Brexit is now a receding possibility."
"With that in mind, I think it’s quite unlikely more Tories will leave."
Anna Soubry and colleagues Heidi Allen and Dr Sarah Wollaston last week announced they would quit the Conservative Party to join the newly-formed The Independent Group (TIG) on the opposition benches.
The group was founded on February 18 after seven Labour MPs, Luciana Berger, Ann Coffey, Mike Gapes, Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker, Angela Smith and Chuka Umunna, left their party in protest with Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, his stance on Brexit and the antisemitism reigning within the party.
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Brexit news: Portillo warned chances of leaving the EU are "receding" because of Remainers (Image: BBC•PARLIAMENT TV)
