“I think he’s come down on Parliament’s side, and it’s been a very conflicted time…he’s tried to make the Government accountable to Parliament.”
“Turbo-charging those no-deal preparations: that’s the focus from everyone around the Cabinet table.”
The Opposition would campaign to remain against a no-deal exit, though.
“Boris Johnson is absolutely unequivocal…this is not a case of extension any more. Delay is defeat – it’s as simple as that.”
He won’t be drawn on the method by which this might be achieved – or whether they might include a no confidence vote.
The former Brexit Secretary adds that “collective responsibility around the Cabinet table” must be restored.
“I can’t comment on what was said,” he says, asked if he described Labour’s policy as a slow motion car crash.
The frontrunner says that they must “understand the gravity of the situation and behave with responsibility”.
He says there is a corrosion of public trust and that the Tories will be toast if Brexit isn’t delivered.
He says that the Johnson must be tested – and that the International Development Secretary is the candidate to do it.
The Work and Pensions Secretary refuses to say whether or not she would serve under him.
But he doesn’t rule out a further extension – because the October deadline might force a no confidence vote and a Corbyn election win.
“As Home Secretary, I’m acutely aware of the situation on the border…I’ve done my homework on this.”
He suggests that “some colleagues are changing their views in order to woo our membership”.