Julian Smith: Chief whip attacks cabinet's post-election Brexit strategy

The government should have made clear after the 2017 election that it would 'inevitably' have to accept a closer relationship with the EU after Brexit, the Conservative chief whip has said. In a BBC documentary, Julian Smith - who manages party discipline - is also critical of the cabinet's behaviour. The attack comes as the cabinet is split over whether to move to a softer deal that could mean a customs union. No 10 said the prime minister had 'never used the term soft Brexit'. Several cabinet ministers have said agreeing to a customs union would break promises the Conservatives made at the 2017 election while ex-minister Steve Baker said doing so would 'shatter' the party.