Liz Truss has accused Sir John Major of being a “backseat driver” of a Boris Johnson government over his threat to launch legal proceedings in the face of a no-deal Brexit.
The chief secretary to the Treasury hit out at the former PM after the ardent remainer spoke out about Johnson’s hardline Brexit plans this week.
Johnson has refused to rule out shutting down parliament - known as proroguing - in order to push through a no-deal Brexit if he failed to agree a fresh deal with Brussels.
Major said such a move would be “utterly and totally unacceptable” and that he would launch legal proceedings in the courts.
But Truss, a high-profile supporter of Johnson who is thought to be his choice for chancellor, said Major should “take his own advice” when he complained that his predecessor as PM, Margaret Thatcher, had been interfering.
Major said Thatcher had been “intolerable” and guilty of “incessant plotting” after she stood down.
Truss said: “I remember when John Major complained that Margaret Thatcher was trying to be a backseat driver of his government, and I think he should take his own advice.”
The Treasury chief also backed Johnson over his threat to suspend parliament, saying ministers could be “boxed in” by making commitments before a renegotiation.
She said: “What I believe in this stage of negotiations is that it’s vital not to close off any avenues.
“I don’t want to see these arcane techniques used but nor do I want to have a conversation which gradually boxes in the government of the day in delivering what the British people want.
“It’s not something that I want to see but I think it is very important not to box off avenues.”