Theresa May’s inner circle slam spin chief’s claims she used EU Referendum to bring down David Cameron

THERESA MAY’s inner circle last night branded a former No.10 spin chief “dishonest” as they lashed out at claims she used the EU Referendum to bring down David Cameron.

In an explosive new book, Sir Craig Oliver suggested the new PM abandoned her former party leader during the fierce EU campaign to stand a better chance of becoming the nation’s boss.

He said she refused to support him on 13 separate occasions – leading to fears she was an “enemy agent” for Vote Leave.

4

But a source close to Mrs May last night branded the account “pure fiction” as it threatened to widen the damaging rift in the Tory party caused by the bombshell Brexit vote.

The source said: “Sir Craig should write novels. It’s so dishonest that we are assuming everyone will just laugh.”

4

The row came as Prime Minister May faced separate accusations that she talked David Cameron out of demanding tougher immigration controls from the EU during renegotiations with Brussels.

A different book on the Referendum campaign claimed Mrs May told Mr Cameron in late 2014 not to press ahead with calls for an ‘emergency brake’ to limit migrant arrivals because the Germans did not approve.

4

Mr Cameron was said to have branded her “lily livered”.

But Downing Street sources revealed Mrs May lobbied for an emergency brake in November 2014 in a private letter to her then leader.

A second letter in May 2015 implored Mr Cameron to secure “real reform of free movement”.

Related stories

team cameron's anger at may

New PM was nicknamed 'Submarine May' by No10 during Brexit bid as she 'disappeared'

WHEELY GOOD JOB

Theresa May gets huge shot in the arm from lifelong Labour fan Sir Bradley Wiggins

GETTING HIS GOAT UP

Boris faces diplomatic storm as he jets into Turkey after calling President Erdogan a 'w*****'

TREVOR KAVANAGH

Jeremy Corbyn may have reclaimed the leadership but it's REAL Labour voters who are going to lose

Former Cabinet Minister Iain Duncan Smith blasted the PM’s critics last night and told them to stop “carping”.

He stormed: “I sat in Cabinet and watched Theresa May as she argued for stronger control of migration from the EU, often against others who later ran the Remain campaign.”

Theresa May came out for staying in the EU in February – after speculation she was preparing to join Vote Leave.

4

In yesterday’s revelations Sir Craig argued that she repeatedly found reasons to pull out of media appearances to back Remain.

He said that at one point an exasperated David Cameron said: “Well it may work for her.

“She could be PM in six months’ time.”