David Davis tells MPs to vote down Theresa May's Brexit deal so the EU makes a better offer

David Davis has urged MPs to vote down the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal – so that the EU can make a better offer.

The former Brexit Secretary insisted that in the event of both sides starting with a no-deal scenario, there is a stronger chance of a more attractive proposal being made.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘What would happen if the deal fell apart, which I think at the moment is looking like a probability?

‘If it was voted down, then they would have to go back to the union once more.

‘Now, this will be a slightly different atmosphere. Both sides will be staring at no deal.

‘I don’t think no deal is as frightening as people think. But the Government is obviously nervous of it.

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‘And the European commission, and all the member states – nearly all the member states – are nervous of it.

‘So I think that will force a very, very different, and actually, I think, rather better deal.’

Mr Davis also said the full Government legal advice on Brexit must be published.

He added: ‘What we must see is the complete legal advice, not a summary.’

Mr Davis, who quit his position earlier this year in protest at Mrs May’s Chequers proposals, said the Government had been ;unwilling to take any risk’ in testing the EU’s negotiating position except on the exit bill.

Leaving without a deal would mean some ‘hiccups in the first year’ but the UK would have ‘all the rights and controls over our own destiny’.

He said claims that there would be insulin and food shortages were ‘nonsense’, adding: ‘We are a big country, we can look after ourselves.

The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier this week warned of the need to fight against forces seeking to ‘demolish’ the European project, saying: ‘There is now a Farage in every country.’

Speaking to a conference of the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) in Finland, Mr Barnier said: ‘The European project is fragile, it is under threat, it is perishable and at the same time it is vital.’

He added: ‘We all have to fight against those who want to demolish Europe with their fear, their populist deceit, their attacks against the European project.’