Theresa May was hit with the wrath of a former Cabinet colleague today as Priti Patel blasted her 'negative' approach to Brexit.
Mrs Patel voiced anger that senior figures in government were 'talking the economy down' rather than viewing cutting ties with Brussels as a massive opportunity. And she laid the blame squarely on the PM and Chancellor Philip Hammond, suggesting that having two Remainers in the most powerful posts was a problem.
The intervention ratchets up the pressure on Mrs May as talks with Brussels reach a critical stage - with a standoff over the Irish border threatening to throw the process into turmoil.
Mrs Patel, who quit as Aid Secretary last year after admitting holding unauthorised meeting while on holiday in Israel, told The House magazine that the Conservatives had become 'lazy' and she heard 'too much relentless talking down' of Britain's economy.
Asked if having Remain supporters Mrs May and Mr Hammond at the top of government was part of the problem, she said: 'I have to say, originally I thought it wasn't. But I think it's fair to say that there's something in that. There is absolutely something in that. I actually resent the negativity.'
Talking about the wider Government, she added: 'We are basically now at that two-year anniversary mark. Being bogged down in the minutiae is one thing. But moaning about Brexit in government and saying that it's too difficult and talking down our country I think is actually quite shameful.'
