Chancellor Philip Hammond could try to bring down next government to block no-deal

Mr Hammond says “national interest trumps the party interest” and vows to “act in what I believe is the best interest” of the UK.

In an exclusive interview with Sky News, he left open the option of backing a no-confidence vote against the next prime minister to stop them pursuing something “not in Britain’s interests”.

Mr Hammond admitted it is not a move he would make “lightly or enthusiastically”, but warned that “national interest trumps the party interest”.

Tory MPs vying to replace Theresa May have been jockeying over whether they would ensure the UK leaves the EU on 31 October regardless of whether or not parliament passes a withdrawal agreement.

Three former cabinet ministers have committed to doing so – Esther McVey, Dominic Raab and Boris Johnson.

Mr Hammond said he was meeting all the candidates this week to decide who to back.

“I would not support a policy of no-deal by choice,” he told Sky News.

Source: Sky News