PM expects Cabinet agreement on Brexit despite Boris Johnson row

Theresa May expects Boris Johnson to remain in her Cabinet, with the Prime Minister insisting the Foreign Secretary is "doing good work".

Speaking to Sky News at the UN General Assembly in New York, Mrs May expressed confidence that the whole Cabinet will agree on her Brexit strategy as she prepares for a major speech on the UK's departure from the European Union.

Asked if she believed there will be unity at a special meeting of her top ministers before the speech, the Prime Minister said: "Yes, the Cabinet is absolutely clear about the destination we are aiming for in relation to our European negotiations."

Mr Johnson's decision to pen an explosive 4,000-word newspaper article setting out his own Brexit blueprint prompted calls for Mrs May to sack the Foreign Secretary over the breakdown in Cabinet discipline.

But asked whether Mr Johnson should be dismissed, the Prime Minister said: "Boris is doing good work as Foreign Secretary. He has been doing that here at the United Nations."

When questioned on what she wanted Mr Johnson to do, amid reports he could be set to resign from the Government, Mrs May added: "What I want the Government to do is what the Government is doing, Boris and others, all very clear about the destination we have as a country.

"That is getting that deep and special relationship with the EU when we leave.

"But, a partnership that still leaves us, as the UK, free to make trade deals around the world and free to take control of our laws, our borders and our money."

Mrs May and Mr Johnson are yet to meet since his dramatic intervention, which some viewed as the Foreign Secretary paving the way for a leadership challenge, or to force the Prime Minister's hand ahead of a Brexit speech in Italy.

Asked if she would find time to meet Mr Johnson while they are both in New York this week, Mrs May said: "I will be seeing Boris at various stages during our time here, but of course we have got very busy programmes."

In his article, Mr Johnson had suggested Britain should not pay money to Brussels for access to the EU's single market beyond the date the UK leaves the bloc.

The Prime Minister remained tight-lipped on Mr Johnson's demand, but referred to her Lancaster House speech last January in which she claimed the UK "will not be sending huge sums of money into the EU" after Brexit.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Johnson dismissed suggestions he could quit the Cabinet in protest if Mrs May offers too many concessions to the EU.

Denying the Government is split on Brexit, Mr Johnson told reporters in New York: "We are a nest of singing birds."