LONDON: British Prime Minister David Cameron issued an impassioned defence of his government Monday as he battled to quell bitter Conservative Party party infighting triggered by a pro-Brexit senior minister’s explosive resignation.
Cameron heaped praise on Iain Duncan Smith, who quit as welfare minister on Friday over plans to slash state welfare payments for disabled people, saying they undermined the entire purpose of the administration and damaged national unity.
Cameron confirmed in parliament that he was ditching the controversial planned cuts announced by his closest ally, finance minister George Osborne, in Wednesday’s annual budget.
Critics of Duncan Smith, a former Conservative Party leader and prominent supporter of Britain leaving the European Union, accused him of walking out to boost the Brexit campaign before the June 23 referendum.
Duncan Smith rejected any link to the upcoming vote on EU membership, which has exposed deep splits among the Conservatives.
