Labour Demands Probe Over Claims Financial Backers Of Boris Johnson Stand To Profit From A No-Deal Brexit

John McDonnell has demanded an investigation into claims that financial backers of Boris Johnson stand to profit from a no-deal Brexit.  

In a letter to cabinet secretary Mark Sedwill, the shadow chancellor called for a probe into the prime minister’s alleged “conflicts of interest”.

It comes after former Tory chancellor Philip Hammond accused the PM of failing to seriously pursue Brexit negotiations, saying some of his donors would benefit financially if the UK crashed out of the EU. 

Writing in The Times, Hammond – who was one of 21 Tory rebels kicked out of the party for backing legislation to block a no-deal Brexit – said: “Boris Johnson asserts, ever more boldly, that we will leave the EU on October 31, ‘with or without a deal’. 

“But as his sister has reminded us, he is backed by speculators who have bet billions on a hard Brexit — and there is only one outcome that works for them: a crash-out no-deal Brexit that sends the currency tumbling and inflation soaring. 

“So they, at least, will be reassured to see no evidence at all that his government has seriously pursued a deliverable deal; still less that it has been pursuing a deal that could get us out by October 31.”

Referencing Hammond’s article, McDonnell called for an independent inquiry into the claims.