Harris was responding after The Independent newspaper reported that Eurosceptic rebel Conservatives were poised to form an alliance with the Labour in parliament, who plan to introduce an amendment to the Queen’s Speech, expressing fears over the impact of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) on the UK healthcare.
"It’s all very well for Labour belatedly to vote for this amendment because of their fears about TTIP, but the only way of putting the UK’s interests first in any trade deal is to negotiate it ourselves. And that is illegal while we remain members of the EU," Harris, a former Labour member of parliament, said.
The Independent reported as many as 25 Tory members were ready to back the amendment which could result in the Queen’s Speech being voted down for the first time in 92 years. The Conservatives currently have a 12-seat working majority at Westminster.
Conservative Party Headquarters told Sputnik they were aware of the reports but declined to comment on them.
UK citizens are set to vote on June 23 in a referendum on the country's EU membership. Britain is negotiating a historic TTIP deal with the United States to tear down trade barriers as part of the European Union, despite fears that the pact could water down European healthcare and environmental protections.
