Remainer rebels offered ‘olive branch’ by No 10
Boris Johnson has ordered the chief whip to write to ousted Remainer MPs including Philip Hammond and David Gauke, following a backlash against their sacking.
The Prime Minister has told Mark Spencer to write to all 21 MPs who had the whip removed, setting out the appeals process, the Telegraph reports.
City PM understands that MPs were told moves to replace candidates were put on ice last week, after their suspension caused outrage among party colleagues.
The fact the party had back-up candidates in the wings led many to believe the sacking – ostensibly over the MPs’ refusal to back the government on a key vote last week – had been planned alongside a snap election.
Front benchers including chancellor Sajid Javid and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove are said to be among those pushing for them to be reinstated.
Justice secretary Robert Buckland and leader of the house of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg are also reported to back the move.
A source close to Buckland told the Telegraph: “While the decision to remove the whip is understandable, there must be a way back.”
A source close to the rebels told City PM it was not yet a truce – but said: “Clearly the chief whip has been sanction to ‘reach out’ with what appears to be an olive branch, which is welcome.”
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