First British minister resigns after PM seeks talks with Corbyn

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Nigel Adams, the British minister for Wales, on Wednesday resigned after UK Prime Minister Theresa May announced her plan to talk to Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the opposition Labour Party, in order to break the current Brexit deadlock.

Adams becomes the first senior government official to step down following Tuesday's marathon cabinet meeting, quitting as a junior minister and as an assistant Conservative whip.

Adams, in his letter, accused the prime minister of "cooking up" a deal with Corbyn "who has never once in his political life put British interests first."

May's decision to talk to Corbyn was a "grave error" and Britain would now "end up in a customs union" with the European Union, Adams said.

May is due to meet for talks with Corbyn later Wednesday.

British Prime Minister Theresa May outside her official residence 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, April 3, 2019. /Reuters Photo

In her statement on Tuesday evening after seven hours of cabinet meeting, the prime minister offered to sit down with Corbyn to try to agree on a plan which allows the UK to leave the EU with a deal.

Corbyn later said he was "very happy" to meet May, adding he recognized his "responsibility to represent the people that supported Labour in the last election and the people who didn't support Labour."

Britain has until April 12, the latest Brexit date, to propose a plan to the EU, which must be accepted by them, or Britain will leave the regional bloc without a deal.

(Cover: Badges and other items are seen at a newspaper vendor's stand in Westminster, London, April 3, 2019. /Reuters Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency