Lord David Cameron has sparked backlash from Tory MPs after calling for closer ties with the European Union.
The Foreign Secretary, who made an unexpected return to frontline politics last week, made the comments in his first sit down interview since becoming Foreign Secretary.
Eurosceptic MPs within the party have warned it would be wrong of the former Prime Minister to do anything which could be seen to be “reigniting the Brexit debate”.
His appointment to the Foreign Office raised eyebrows among some Brexiteers last week who are concerned about his previous track record on the EU when in No10.
WATCH: David Cameron on his return to Government
Speaking yesterday Cameron said he was “determined” to make Britain’s relationship with Brussels work following Brexit and said that it was important the UK acted as a “friend, neighbour and partner” with the bloc.
“When you look at the engagement in Ukraine, that probably is the best example of how it’s worked,” he told BBC News.
“There’s no doubt that Britain is the leading European power in helping Ukraine.
“I heard that over and over again from the president downwards.
BREXIT UNDER THREAT:
Lord David Cameron returned to Government last week
PA
His return has sparked backlash from Tory MPs
PA
“But we’re doing that in partnership with our European colleagues.
“So I think we can make ‘friend, neighbour and partner’ work, and I’m determined to do so.”
Reacting with surprise at the comments, Richard Drax, a member of the defence select committee, said: “You might want to remind Lord Cameron that we left the EU – no ifs or buts – and we’re doing very well, thank you.”
“I hope that Lord Cameron’s comments are not in any way reigniting the Brexit debate, because that would be entirely wrong,” he added when speaking to The Telegraph.
Meanwhile, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, who submitted a letter of no confidence in Rishi Sunak last week in frustration at the direction of Government, said: “We’ve surely got to deliver policies which speak to these new Conservative voters from the 2019 election, and rhetoric like this is not going to win us a majority.”
Leading Brexiteers first expressed their dismay at Cameron’s appointment in the immediate aftermath of the Government reshuffle.
Former Brexit minister Lord David Frost accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of taking the country “back to the past” to a world “in which Brexit may have happened legally but not in the mindset of those who rule us”.
Meanwhile GB News presneter and former Cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg warned Cameron “got the Brexit issue wrong” and said his return could “potentially push” some Tory voters away from the party.
