UK PM happy for "differing views" on Brexit, will get best deal: spokeswoman

[LONDON] Prime Minister Theresa May will listen to "differing views" among her team of top ministers to make sure Britain is fully prepared for its negotiation to leave the European Union, her spokeswoman said on Monday.

Media reports say there are sharp disagreements between some of her cabinet, with the Telegraph newspaper saying there were claims that finance minister Philip Hammond could resign over his support for 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 United Kingdom," 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."

She added that Ms May had full confidence in Hammond.

Asked whether Mr Hammond was close to resigning and whether he was obstructing the Brexit process, a source in his department said the reports were "completely untrue".

REUTERS