British minister quits over Brexit instability

International Desk: Amber Rudd has quit the cabinet and surrendered the Conservative whip, saying not enough effort is going into getting a Brexit deal.

The work and pensions secretary told the BBC there were no "formal negotiations" taking place with the EU, just "conversations".

Ms Rudd said up to 90 per cent of government time was spent preparing for an "inferior" no-deal option.

Chancellor Sajid Javid said he was "saddened" by the resignation.

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show he did not agree that the government wasn't putting serious effort into getting a new deal with the EU.

Downing Street has announced that Environment Minister Therese Coffey will replace Ms Rudd as work and pensions secretary.

A No 10 spokesperson added that "all ministers who joined the Cabinet signed up to leaving the EU on 31 October, come what may".

Ms Rudd's resignation comes as PM Boris Johnson is reportedly considering defying a new law aimed at forcing him to seek an extension to the Brexit deadline if he fails to secure parliamentary approval on an exit agreement by 19 October. _BBC

risingbd/Dhaka/September 08, 2019