David Davis 'fell out with his top Brexit mandarin because he wouldn't let him fly in RAF planes'
- David Davis and top official Oliver Robbins said to have rowed about RAF flights
- Mandarin reportedly refused to let Davis use RAF instead of going commercial
- Robbins moved from Brexit department in September to report to PM directlyÂ
David Davis is said to have fallen out with his top Brexit mandarin because he would not let him travel on RAF planes.
The bizarre spat reportedly erupted after the Brexit Secretary insisted he did not want to use commercial flights as he criss-crossed Europe for negotiations.
But the permanent secretary at his department, Oliver Robbins, apparently kept blocking the requests.
Brexit Secretary David Davis (right) is said to have fallen out with his top mandarin Oliver Robbins (right) over the minister's desire to use RAF planes
Mr Davis has been leading talks with the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier (pictured right) since July
According to new book Fall Out by Sunday Times political editor Tim Shipman, Mr Davis had to appeal for Theresa May's chief of staff Gavin Barwell to step in and clear the trips.
It is claimed the minister threatened that he would not make the journeys unless he could use RAF planes, which can cost up to five times more than commercial tickets.
The book also reveals clashes over accusations that Mr Robbins was shutting Mr Davis out of key talks with European officials.
Mr Robbins, the most senior official leading on the negotiations with the EU, left the Brexit department in September to work directly for Mrs May in a new Cabinet Office unit.
There were claims at the time that his move was due to tensions with Mr Davis.
But the government insisted the change was intended to 'strengthen cross-government coordination of the nest phase of negotiations with the EU'.
Mr Robbins has continued to attend talks with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier alongside Mr Davis.Â
Sources close to Mr Davis said that the account was based on 'gossip rather than fact'.
But Labour MP Peter Kyle said: 'This totally disgusts me. He railed against ‘bloated Eurocrats’ then demands a private jet to fly to Europe.Â
'I’ve seen him stuffing his face in the Commons tea room the same day of negotiations in Brussels. He thinks the world should revolve around his ego.'Â
Mr Robbins moved from the Brexit department to the Cabinet Office in September, but is still attending the talks in Brussels (pictured) alongside Mr DavisÂ
Mrs May's chief of staff Gavin Barwell is said to have intervened to sign off Mr Davis's use of RAF planes after Mr Robbins repeatedly refusedÂ
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