Hammond cancels Mansion House 'warning shot'
Chancellor had been expected to use gala-dinner speech to warn Theresa May about dangers of a hard Brexit

A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Chancellor Philip Hammond has cancelled his annual address to City leaders following the Grenfell Tower fire.
"In view of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, I have withdrawn from giving the Mansion House speech tonight, " he tweeted. "My thoughts are with the local community."
A Treasury spokesman told the BBC Hammond would deliver his speech "in the near future".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Earlier reports suggested the Chancellor was preparing to use the event to publicly criticise Theresa May's plans for a hard Brexit, just days before negotiations with Brussels begin. A leading figure in the Remain campaign, he has previously said he wants the UK to prioritise "jobs, prosperity and business" rather than control of immigration in discussions.
The Financial Times reports Hammond was going to push for a "significant transition period" to allow UK business to adapt to leaving the customs union and single market and to soften the Prime Minister's stance on immigration controls.
That the Chancellor felt emboldened to deliver such a speech is a sign of how the political landscape has changed since the general election.
"A week ago he faced the possibility of losing his job," says Bloomberg. "But since May instead lost her House of Commons majority, Hammond has emerged as a key figure in Brexit talks."
The FT adds: "After months of arguments and occasional humiliation at the hands of May and her team of advisers, Hammond is determined to reassert his authority on the Brexit process."
However, a senior Tory source told the Daily Mail the PM would face a wave a cabinet resignations if she bowed to his demands.
"There is a coordinated operation going on, led by Hammond, that is designed to destabilise the Prime Minister," they said. "What they are risking now is creating open warfare in the Tory Party."
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
What to know when filing a hurricane insurance claim
The Explainer A step-by-step to figure out what insurance will cover and what else you can do beyond filing a claim
By Becca Stanek Published
-
How fees impact your investment portfolio — and how to save on them
The Explainer Even seemingly small fees can take a big bite out of returns
By Becca Stanek Published
-
Enemy without
Cartoons
By The Week Staff Published
-
Will Rishi Sunak's green wedge issue win over the public?
Today's Big Question The PM draws dividing line with Labour on net zero ahead of the next general election
By Sorcha Bradley Published
-
Industry backlash as Sunak set to water down green pledges
Speed Read Automotive and energy bosses look for clarity after PM backs away from UK net zero goal
By Arion McNicoll Published
-
October by-elections: what's at stake for Labour, Lib Dems and Tories
Parties will contest two former safe Tory seats on 19 October, putting pressure on Rishi Sunak
By Harriet Marsden Published
-
Jobs for the boys: does the UK need a minister for men?
Conservative MP calls for dedicated cabinet role to combat 'crisis' in men's mental health and education
By Harriet Marsden Published
-
The new Windsor framework: Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal explained in five points
feature PM reaches agreement with EU over new Northern Ireland trading arrangements
By Sorcha Bradley Last updated
-
The crackdown on golden visa schemes
feature Government aims to close ‘backdoor route’ into Britain for criminals who exploit visa-waiver agreements with other countries
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Sturgeon’s exit: does SNP leader leave Scotland a better place?
Talking Point Outgoing leader dominated Scottish life but had her star status began to fade away?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Strikes: will ‘divide and rule’ tactics break the impasse with unions?
Today's Big Question GMB union describes the government’s ‘serious’ offer to nurses as a ‘back-room deal’
By Arion McNicoll Published