John Major: 'Undoubtedly a case for second EU referendum" as he hits out at Brexit rebels | ITV News

Sir John Major has told ITV News the Conservative rebels Theresa May is facing over her Brexit plan are more "hardline" and "entrenched" than the Tory MPs who defied him over Europe in the 1990s.

The former Prime Minister said a group of Brexiters within the Tory party - led by Jacob Rees-Mogg - are "very difficult to negotiate with" and give Mrs May "rather threatening lectures day after day as to what they will expect [over Brexit], when they are actually a minority in the Conservative parliamentary party", adding some are "fanatics" who are "prepared to go to almost any lengths to ensure we leave Europe".

The rebels' behaviour could "cause a Corbyn government" and lead to a general election this autumn or next spring, he believes.

Speaking to ITV News Political Editor Robert Peston in the latest episode of his new online series Now What?, Sir John said:

• There is 'undoubtedly' a case for a second referendum' on Brexit
• A Brexit 'no deal' scenario would be 'catastrophic' and likely lead to a general election
• Brexit voters were made false promises by campaigners and will become worse off, not better off

Since Theresa May agreed her Brexit plan with her Cabinet in Chequers on 6 July, Brexit Secretary David Davis and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson have resigned from government over its contents. Several government ministers have also quit.

On Monday, Theresa May bowed to pressure from Tory Brexiteers after accepting crucial changes to plans for leaving the European Union - narrowly winning a Commons vote by 305 votes to 302

The European Research Group, a Eurosceptic group of Tory MPs which include Jacob Rees-Mogg, Sir Bernard Jenkin, Priti Patel and Iain Duncan Smith, tabled four amendments to the Government's Customs Bill aimed at imposing strict conditions on the Prime Minister after she produced a plan at Chequers that would keep the UK closely tied to Brussels' rules on goods and food.

Sir John, who was Prime Minister between 1990 and 1997, faced a rebellion from within his party over Europe when he was in power. He was defeated in a Commons vote over the UK implementing the Maastricht Treaty, which created the European Union.

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