Theresa May keen to hear 'differing views' on Brexit to get best deal

Prime Minister Theresa May is keen to listen to “differing views” among her team of top ministers to make sure Britain is fully prepared for itsnegotiation to leave the European Union, her spokeswoman said on Monday.

May, appointed prime minister shortly after Britain voted toleave the bloc, has called on her cabinet, which is split between those who campaigned to remain in the EU and those who wanted to leave, to get ready for the negotiations before shetriggers the formal divorce procedure by the end of March.

Media reports say there are sharp disagreements betweensome, with the Telegraph newspaper reporting “claims” thatfinance minister Philip Hammond could resign over his supportfor a “soft Brexit” of retaining ties with the bloc.

“The prime minister is focused on making sure we prepare for the negotiations and we get the best deal for the UnitedKingdom,” her spokeswoman told reporters.

The PM wants to prepare fully for those negotiations. It means hearing the differing views of ministers, departments,stakeholders

... Ultimately we need to make sure we are working together to ensure that we make a success of Brexit.” A source in Hammond’s department said reports that the finance minister was close to resigning and was obstructing the Brexit process were “completely untrue”.

May has said she will not offer a running commentary on the Brexit negotiations and her aides suggest her government has yet to come up with firm positions on all issues in the talks. Investors are concerned that, with three leading Brexit campaigners among her closest advisers, May is taking Britain towards a “hard Brexit”, or a clean break from the EU’s single market.