Britain will 'thrive' even if there is no Brexit deal, minister says, as David Davis calls on PM to 'reset' her plan

Britain will "thrive" even if there is no Brexit deal, Dominic Raab has said, as his predecessor David Davis called on the Prime Minister to "reset" her Brexit plan and prepare a "reserve parachute" in case no agreement is reached. 

Mr Raab said there is "tremendous pressure" on the EU to secure a deal as he branded his counterparts "irresponsible" for failing to reassure British citizens living abroad about their rights after Brexit. 

His remarks come ahead of a second meeting between the two men this Thursday, amid growing concern that the UK could be heading for a no deal Brexit. 

The fears have prompted some politicians including Dominic Grieve and Sir John Major to call for a second referendum vote to settle the issue, adding weight to a bid by former Cabinet minister Justine Greening last week.

Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr the Brexit Secretary said: "All of that planning [for no deal] is under way, from every aspect of the infrastructure to the legal position to make sure we’re ready for no deal and Britain thrives whatever the outcome of these negotiations. 

"But let’s also just remind viewers, with our White Paper, with the negotiations in Brussels, we’re striving to get the best deal. 

"And I’m confident that with goodwill on the other side, with the detail, with the ambition we’ve shown, we get that deal done."

The Brexit secretary refused to be drawn on claims that the Government is making plans to stockpile food in case of the worst outcome. 

But a report published today claims the Government is considering suspending food safety controls to prevent perishable foods being delayed at the border if no agreement is reached.

Experts warned such a move could halt all UK exports and damage thousands of businesses. 

It came as former Brexit secretary David Davis told a Sunday newspaper that the Prime Minister should tear up her Brexit white paper and start again because it is not good enough. 

As Mr Raab confirmed that he is still trying to convince a number of Cabinet ministers of the benefits of Mrs May's white paper plan, Mr Davis said a fall-back option was needed and the Government should step up planning immediately to ensure the UK is not left with nothing if the EU does not agree to it. 

He told the Sunday Express: "We’re going to have to do a reset and come back and look at it all again. What we mustn’t do is leave everything on the table and offer something else on top.

"One of the traditional tactics of the EU is to say: “OK, but not enough” and pocket what they’ve already been given. We can’t allow that. We’ll have to say: “Sorry, if that deal’s not enough then it’s no longer available.”

"I think when we get to the autumn, if we are in the situation where we don’t have any degree of agreement, we’re going to have to start again."

He added that Mrs May should start work on a document which binds together the best bits from every other EU trade deal with another country to act as a "reserve parachute" if talks break down.

The model would be known as Canada plus plus plus and would help prevent the UK from crashing out of the bloc without any deal at all. 

Mr Davis also criticised the Chancellor and the Treasury for their pro-remain views, adding: "You’ve got a Whitehall establishment which putting it mildly, is not an enthusiast for the project. And certainly at the Treasury, which believes all these nonsensical forecasts. Project Fear Mark III, I think it is now."

His remarks came as pro-Remain Conservatives ramped up pressure on Mrs May ahead of fresh talks with EU negotiators this week by warning a second referendum on Brexit could now be the only way to solve the deadlock.

Dominic Grieve said: "I don’t subscribe to the view that a referendum result is writ in stone for a thousand years, it plainly is not.  If circumstances change then it is perfectly democratic to go back to people and say you’ve see how matters have changed, you’ve seen where we now are, what is your preference?"

The leading Tory remainer, who is part of a core group attempting to derail the Prime Minister in Westminster, said a second Brexit vote "may even be the right thing to do" because promises will not be delivered by Theresa May. 

It came as former Conservative Prime Minister John Major also backed a second vote, warning the UK could "crash" out of the EU without a deal because of the actions of Brexiteers like Jacob Rees-Mogg. 

Polling published yesterday showed only one in ten voters would back Theresa May's Brexit plan in a referendum, according to figures in the Sunday Times. 

Mr Raab, who was a member of the senior team at Vote Leave during the EU referendum, was also drawn into the row over whether the group should have been fined by the Electoral Commission.

Asked if the bosses of the campaign should be forced to answer questions about it he said: "I think part of this is the last-ditch tactics by some to try and stop Brexit from happening."