Tory minister makes red-faced apology for completely made-up Brexit stat used live on radio

A government minister was forced into an immediate apology after claiming 80% of Brexiteers support Theresa May’s draft agreement to leave the European Union.

Rory Stewart, a justice minister, made the claim on BBC radio.

No sooner than he said it though, he was challenged and withdrew the statement.

‘Eighty per cent of the Brexit public support this deal, he told Radio 5 Live.

Quizzed by the presenter, Emma Barnett, ‘how on earth’ he could know the level of public support, the minister backtracked.

‘OK let me take that back,’ he said.

‘My sense is, sorry, let me get the language right on that. My sense is that if we have an opportunity to explain this, the vast majority of the British public would support this deal.’

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Pressed on the 80% figure, Mr Stewart added he was ‘producing a number’ to ‘illustrate what I believe’.

‘I totally apologise for that and I take that back.’ he said.

It was a bad start to the day for the government, which is sure to be on the backfoot throughout Friday over the explosive issue of Brexit.

Following a spate of resignations from Cabinet on Thursday, a fevered Westminster is braced for another day of drama and a potential leadership challenge launched against Theresa May.

Several leading Brexiteers, including Jacob Rees-Mogg, have submitted letters of no confidence in Mrs May and more are expected throughout Friday.

Mr Stewart though urged them to step back.

‘What they are basically doing is radically increasing the risks of us crashing out with no plan and no deal, and that would be catastrophic for our economy, and that would create huge divisions for British society,’ he said.

Mr Stewart has been a justice minister since January.

A former Oxford University student, he was also a private tutor to Princes William and Harry.