Theresa May under fire for holding Brexit talks with Jeremy Corbyn

Backbench Tory MPs are putting pressure on the prime minister over her decision to hold talks with Jeremy Corbyn over Brexit.

In an attempt to break the parliamentary deadlock, she agreed to try and build a cross-party way forward.

It may solve some of the issues, but it has annoyed plenty of her own MPs.

Lee Rowley, for North East Derbyshire, pointed out that last week Mrs May had said ‘the biggest threat to our standing in the world, to our defence, and to our economy’ was Mr Corbyn, asking: ‘In her judgment what now qualifies him for involvement in Brexit?’

Caroline Johnson, for Sleaford and North Hykeham, said: ‘If it comes to the point when we have to balance the risk of a no-deal Brexit versus the risk of letting down the country and ushering in a Marxist, anti-Semite led government, what does she think, at that point, is the lowest risk?’

Speaking today, Mrs May defended the decision saying ‘every member of this House is involved in Brexit’.

WATCH LIVE: PM @Theresa_May makes a statement on Brexit next steps at Downing Street https://t.co/zlZga6keb0

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 2, 2019

She said: ‘I do not think the Labour Party should be in Government. It is the Conservatives that are delivering for people, and the leader of the opposition and I have different opinions on a number of issues.’

She pointed to the Salisbury terror attack, saying that ‘this Government stood up against the perpetrators of that attack’ while Mr Corbyn ‘said he preferred to believe Vladimir Putin than our own security agencies’.

Others wondered what the benefit would be for Labour, with claims the offer of talks is a ‘trap’.

SNP MP Stewart Hosie (Dundee East) said: ‘After two years of Brexit deadlock, intransigence and a seven-hour Cabinet meeting, the best the Prime Minister can do is invite the leader of the British Labour Party to become the co-owner of her Brexit failure.

‘Let me ask her, had she been the leader of the opposition, and invited into a trap like this, would she have been foolish enough to accept?’

Mrs May said: ‘I think members of the public expect us to reach out and find a way through this. They want a solution. The country needs a solution, the country deserves a solution, and that is what I am working to find.’

Jeremy Corbyn said: ‘I welcome the Prime Minister’s offer for talks following meetings I’ve had with members across this House, and look forward to meeting her later today.

‘And I welcome her willingness to compromise to resolve the Brexit deadlock.’