Sign up here to receive the daily news briefing in your inbox every morning with exclusive insight from the BrexitCentral team Theresa May insists her Brexit vision is ‘credible’ as No 10 denies rift with Johnson… Theresa May has insisted her Brexit vision in which Britain will align with European Union rules to get “frictionless” trade but retain the freedom to diverge from them is “ambitious” and “credible”. The Prime Minister also claimed voters are tired of politicians arguing over Brexit and so aimed to be “straight with people” in her high-profile speech at London’s Mansion House on Friday. The details of her Brexit strategy appeared to unite warring Remain and Leave factions of the Conservative Party. But Downing Street and Boris Johnson have denied reports that Mrs May’s chief of staff Gavin Barwell was behind a leak of the Foreign Secretary’s private thoughts on the contentious issue of the Irish border, which is holding up Brexit negotiations. – BT Key ally of Boris Johnson launches attack on Theresa May’s aide claiming they leaked Irish border memo in ‘revenge attack’ for Brexit – Mail on Sunday …while – surprise, surprise – arch-Remainer Lord Heseltine slams Theresa May’s speech Tory hopes of uniting the party behind Theresa May’s latest vision for Brexit faded as former deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine dismissed her latest speech as just more “phrases, generalisations and platitudes” which had done nothing to make a deal more likely. While most Conservative MPs and peers gave the prime minister a period of grace after Friday’s address, Heseltine said all May had done was offer more detail on a set of demands that the European Union had made clear all along it would never agree to. Talking to the Observer, he said: “The speech just moves us further down the cherry-picking road. It set out the cherries that Britain wants to pick but that approach completely ignores the fact that the EU has said, ‘sorry there is no cherry picking’.” – Observer ‘Frictionless’ trade with Europe is possible without staying in the single market or customs union, insists Jeremy Hunt Britain can leave the single market and customs union but still enjoy ‘frictionless’ trade with the European Union, Jeremy Hunt has claimed. The Health Secretary claimed that Theresa May’s Brexit vision proves there can be a ‘pragmatic alignment of regulations’ with the other 27 EU nations to allow Britain to trade with the bloc. He added that MPs would be able to take control back and chose to diverge from EU rules, with knowledge of their consequences, one the UK leaves the bloc. Speaking in London’s Mansion House, the Prime Minster dismissed the EU’s claims that it will not allow ‘cherry picking’ of certain rights and obligations, with Brussels saying these were part of any trade negotiations. – Mail on Sunday Staying in a customs union after Brexit would betray Britain’s national interests, says Liam Fox Remaining in a customs union with the EU after Brexit would amount to a “betrayal of Britain’s national interests”, the International Trade Secretary has warned. Writing for the Telegraph ahead of a formal response by Brussels to a major speech by the Prime Minister on Friday, Liam Fox said proposals being pushed by Labour and senior EU figures would lead to Britain “abandon[ing] our global ambitions” when the country should be “taking the opportunity of the huge growth in global markets.” His intervention came amid signs that some pro-Europe Conservatives threatening a rebellion over the customs union issue may drop their support for an amendment to the Government’s Trade Bill as a result of the compromise set out by Theresa May. – Telegraph (£) Remaining in a customs union of any type would only make sense if we abandon our global ambitions – Liam Fox for the Telegraph (£) Politicians talking up EU’s importance to Britain’s security fail to grasp ‘practical reality’, former MI6 chief claims Politicians such as Tony Blair talking up the importance of the European Union to Britain’s security fail to grasp the “practical reality” of counter-terror operations, a former spy chief has told The Telegraph. Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, suggested that Mr Blair did not understand key intelligence considerations when he questioned how Britain could fight terrorism without “enhanced integration of intelligence and surveillance”, in a speech last week in which the former Prime Minister expressed hope that the British people would “change their mind” about Brexit. In a significant intervention, Sir Richard also called for Britain to increase its defence budget after Brexit, adding his weight to calls by senior Tories lobbying the Treasury for a rise in spending. – Telegraph (£) Brexit day blueprint to cut through the red tape and abolish 50 EU rules is in preparation Red tape holding back house-builders and restricting the hiring of apprentices will be torn up on the day after the Brexit transition period under plans being drawn up as part of a major government review, The Telegraph can disclose. A group of senior Remain and Leave-supporting figures is preparing around 50 “fixes” that will scrap unnecessary rules and regulations derived from Brussels, as soon as the UK becomes fully independent from the EU. The proposals, designed to address dozens of problematic examples of red tape identified by businesses, trade unions and regulators, include an overhaul of “state aid” diktats preventing the Government from offering cut-price loans to builders constructing council homes, and putting firms off taking up funds available to take on new apprentices. – Telegraph (£) Theresa May tells Sturgeon Brexit deal will strengthen UK The Brexit deal being sought at Westminster will “strengthen the union of nations” in the UK, Theresa May has told Nicola Sturgeon during talks, it has emerged. Both leaders have also agreed to “work to reach an agreement” on the current Brexit deadlock between Holyrood and Westminster, a spokesman for the Prime Minister has said. The two leaders spoke on the phone on Friday evening following the Prime Minister’s flagship Brexit speech. Mrs May’s spokesman said the two leaders initially discussed the whiteout weather conditions affecting much of the UK. – Scotsman May and Sturgeon agree to try and break Brexit deadlock – ITV News Jacob Rees-Mogg attacks ‘absurd’ EU plan for Irish border Jacob Rees-Mogg has accused Ireland and the European Union of risking a “no deal” Brexit with their “absurd” suggestion that Northern Ireland should be in a common regulatory area with Brussels to avoid a hard border on the island. The MP said it was clear that a solution could not be found to maintain a soft Irish border until Britain and the EU had finalised their future trading relationship. Theresa May has already rejected the EU’s demand, arguing it would threaten the constitutional and territorial integrity of the UK by keeping Northern Ireland in a de facto customs area with Brussels that the rest of the country would be outside. – Observer Taoiseach denies working bilaterally with Theresa May to design a solution preventing a hard border with Northern Ireland after Brexit The taoiseach has denied working bilaterally with Theresa May, the British prime minister, to design a solution preventing a hard border with Northern Ireland after Brexit. A spokesman for Leo Varadkar yesterday rejected a claim by Brendan Howlin, the Labour Party leader, that he had “taken on a shared responsibility with May” to address the border issue following their recent talks in Belfast and a phone call last week. “May is suggesting the taoiseach has taken on a shared responsibility to find a solution to the impossible conundrum she and her government have created,” Howlin said yesterday, referring to the prime minister’s speech in London on Friday. – Sunday Times (£) Boris Johnson prevented from issuing full memo on Northern Irish border – PoliticsHome Ireland’s Prime Minister warns Theresa May her speech failed to provide border solutions – PoliticsHome Remainer MPs accuse Brexit ministers of trying to ‘weaponise’ The Queen by using her as a ‘mouthpiece’ to secure trade deals Pro-Remain MPs have accused Tory Brexit Ministers of trying to ‘weaponise’ the Queen by using next month’s Commonwealth summit to strike trade deals. Whitehall officials hope to use the Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London to ‘step up’ the pace of preparations for non-EU trade deals before Brexit Day in March 2019. But last night the MPs accused Ministers of planning to ‘turn the Queen into a mouthpiece’ for Brexiteers Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Liam Fox. The claim comes as one diplomatic source told The Mail on Sunday that attempts by officials to use the summit to boost trade post-Brexit had met with resistance from many former British colonies, which mockingly dubbed it ‘Empire 2.0’. – Mail on Sunday Vince Cable supposedly building youth army to fight Brexit Sir Vince Cable reveals today that the Liberal Democrats have set up a Momentum-style youth army to fight Brexit and to press Labour politicians to quit Jeremy Corbyn’s party and join forces with them. In an interview with The Sunday Times to mark the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Lib Dems, 74-year-old Cable said his young supporters were “very active and fighting the Brexit war” and made clear his plan to emulate Labour’s army of young foot soldiers. – Sunday Times (£) Ex-Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale challenges successor on Brexit Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard is facing a challenge to his authority with the creation of a new anti-Brexit campaign group within the party — led by his predecessor Kezia Dugdale. Scottish Labour for the Single Market will fight for the party to support permanent UK membership of the European Single Market and Customs Union — in contrast with Leonard’s more Eurosceptic tone. The grassroots campaign, aimed at protecting jobs, opposing austerity and defending workers’ rights, is co-chaired by Dugdale, Catherine Stihler MEP and Ian Murray MP. With the support of members across the country, Scottish Labour can join forces with the trade union movement, Welsh Labour and London mayor Sadiq Khan in persuading Labour to back permanent UK membership of the single market, it claims. – Sunday Times (£) CBI says UK business growth gauge rises to two-year high British businesses grew at the fastest rate in more than two years in the three months to February, despite uncertainty about Britain’s prospects as it prepares to leave the European Union, the Confederation of British Industry said on Sunday. The CBI’s monthly growth indicator – which is based on its surveys of how much businesses’ output has changed over the previous three months – more than doubled to +20 in February, from +9 in January, reaching its highest since December 2015. Growth was far above the long-run average across most sectors other than retail, the CBI said. The weak pound and healthy global growth propelled manufacturing output, while business and professional services grew at their fastest since August 2015. “It’s good to see firm growth in the UK economy this month, and expectations of growth into the next quarter also look positive,” CBI chief economist Rain Newton-Smith said. – Reuters UK economy gathers pace after factory output spikes Britain’s economy accelerated at the start of the year, defying fears of a slowdown to give the Chancellor a healthier backdrop for this month’s Spring Statement. Industrial output surged in January as the Forties North Sea oil pipeline re-opened, according to new forecasts. Official data this Friday is expected to show industrial production jumped 1.5pc on the month, reversing December’s 1.3pc fall. That should boost output 1.9pc, compared with last year. This should also improve Britain’s trade balance in the month, as the Forties closure meant more oil had to be imported late last year. – Telegraph Daniel Hannan: The EU is treating Britain like North Korea. It’s time we prepared to walk away The 27 governments may yet assert themselves, but Britain should not rely on it. The time has come for us to prepare for a skeleton deal, covering only the most basic accords that the EU has with all third countries, on aviation, extradition, exchange of information and the like. In the meantime, we should be streamlining our tax and welfare systems, raising productivity and looking to build on our country’s extraordinary record of attracting inward investment. As long as Brussels, encouraged by British Europhiles, believes that Brexit can be reversed, it won’t talk terms. Both Yanis Varoufakis and David Cameron found out what happens when you negotiate with partners who believe you won’t walk away. For Heaven’s sake, let’s not repeat their mistake. – Daniel Hannan MEP for the Telegraph (£) Britain’s finances are ready for a no-deal Brexit – Telegraph editorial David Davis: We need a special deal with the EU — we’re NOT like other countries Bold. New. Positive. The Prime Minister used these words to describe Britain’s future outside the EU in her important speech on Friday. And it’s the same upbeat approach we’ve taken throughout our negotiations with the EU, and one I’ve articulated to leaders right across Europe. Because now is not the time to “do down” Britain. We’re making good on that referendum result — the biggest democratic exercise this country has ever seen — and are fighting to get the best deal for the UK. I’ve travelled the length and breadth of Europe in recent months to explain Britain’s ambitious and pragmatic vision of the future partnership we want with the EU to government ministers and business leaders. That vision recognises that we want close ties with Europe as our neighbours, trading partners and allies, but also sees the UK regain control of its borders and be able to strike its own trade agreements with growing economies around the globe. – David Davis MP for the Sun on Sunday Nigel Farage: May’s speech was laudable, but the question persists: is she really up to this? Theresa May owes everyone in Britain one thing: clarity. I think she needs to take on Brussels, stand up for Britain, and declare that if we aren’t treated in a reasonable fashion, we will walk away from all negotiations and set our own course. Instead, May said this week: “We will not be buffeted by demands to threaten a walk out”. That to me sounds a lot like “no deal is better than a bad deal” ceases to be our negotiating position. This will be welcomed with glee by the bully boys in Brussels who will continue to treat us with contempt. Mrs May has failed fully to quell suspicions she is not up to that job. It was telling that when asked the question “Is Brexit worth it?” after her speech, she couldn’t bring herself to answer. This on top of her being unable to say how she would vote if there was another referendum held today. She still has time to show her mettle, but the clock is ticking. – Nigel Farage MEP for the Telegraph (£) Jacob Rees-Mogg: The United Kingdom will quit the EU as one country, whatever Brussels might desire Some Brexiteers have been accused of trying to undermine the agreement, when they have not. But when Brussels abandons one of its key tenets, no one seems to notice. Then there is the further problem in what this absurd suggestion – that the Province should be detached from the rest of the country and become a protectorate of Brussels – in fact means. It means that Brussels is still not being serious, and that vital voices in Europe actually seem to want a ‘No Deal’ Brexit. For it can be inescapable now for everyone in Europe that no deal could ever seriously be contemplated on these preposterous terms. – Jacob Rees-Mogg MP for the News Letter Liam Halligan: Campaign to reverse Brexit is in full swing The UK’s negotiations with the EU were subject to full-scale wrecking tactics last week – and there is no doubt more to come. The campaign to reverse Brexit is now in full swing, as political and corporate interests determined to upend the 2016 referendum seek to renege on the biggest expression of democracy in British history. Jeremy Corbyn clearly wants Britain to leave the EU. He opposed membership of the European Economic Community in the 1975 referendum and, as an MP, voted against Maastricht in 1993 and the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. – Liam Halligan for the Telegraph (£) Brexit in brief Brexit deniers like John Major are a big problem… we must not let them win – Tony Parsons for the Sun on Sunday To the keepers of the EU’s holy relics, Theresa May’s reasonableness is also her heresy – Janet Daley for the Telegraph (£) May’s realistic response to the Brexit bluster – Mail on Sunday editorial No 10 wins over the Tories . . . and next up it’s Brussels – Sunday Times editorial Media interviews on Brexit – John Redwood’s Diary Rasputin of Brussels raises hackles among EU staff – FT (£)