May Ally Quits Over ‘Badly Rushed’ Brexit Negotiations

A key British minister has resigned only hours before a decisive Brexit vote for Prime Minister Theresa May’s government.

Phillip Lee, a justice minister and personal friend of May, quit in a dramatic speech in central London in which he attacked “badly rushed” Brexit negotiations and insisted he could no longer serve in an administration pursuing a policy that failed in its duty to protect the public.

Lee’s resignation Tuesday comes ahead of a crucial 48 hours for the government as it battles to hold off a series of potential rebellions to remove 15 amendments laid by peers in the House of Lords designed to strengthen parliament’s hand in the negotiations.

Lee, the minister for human rights, said it was “hard to countenance” being in a government that was pushing through Britain’s exit from the European Union with or without a deal with Brussels.

In his speech, Lee slammed the government for fighting a crucial amendment, which will be voted Tuesday afternoon, designed to give MPs the power to send the government back to Brussels to renegotiate the terms of Britain’s departure should the House of Commons reject the final Brexit deal.

ABC Note: Human Rights legislation is really important to people on low incomes. The EU has prevented some of the worst excesses of this government and their attitude to those on welfare. 

ABC Note: Have your say below, what do you think about Phillip Lee's resignation?