Theresa May will look to escape her Brexit turmoil by heading to Italy for the start of her summer holidays this weekend. Downing Street last night revealed Mrs May and her husband Philip will repeat last year’s getaway – with a break in Italy followed by a spell in Switzerland. 2 Theresa May told workers at a factory in Newcastle she found hiking the best way to unwind Credit: Reuters She will return to the UK briefly to attend a First World War memorial event to mark the battle of Amiens, which began on August 8, 1918 and helped the allies secure victory 100 years ago. A number of Cabinet ministers are expected to deputise for her as she tries to relax following a year marked by Tory civil war and resignations. Last year the PM stayed in northern Italy close to Lake Garda as she sought to recover from the crushing Election result. She is expected to use her time in Switzerland to go walking. Earlier this week she told workers at a factory in Newcastle she found hiking the best way to unwind. She also decided on the ill-fated snap Election after a walking trip to Snowdonia. 2 Theresa May decided to call a snap election during her holiday in Wales Credit: Erfyl Lloyd Davies Photography<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again Matteo Salvini, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister, told the Sunday Times the EU was trying to “swindle” the UK out of a good deal. The far-right interior minister encouraged the Prime Minister to take a tougher stance in Brexit talks. He said: “My experience in the European Parliament tells me you either impose yourself or they swindle you.” Mr Salvini said the Prime Minister should be willing to walk away from the Brussels bloc without a deal.<doc-sep>Theresa May should take a hard line with the EU over Brexit negotiations or risk being cheated, Italy's deputy prime minister has said. Right-wing populist Matteo Salvini said Mrs May should be prepared to walk away without a deal. He said: "On some principles there is no need to be flexible and you should not go backwards." Mr Salvini, a former MEP who has clashed with the EU since entering government earlier this year, spoke as the Prime Minister faced pressure from Conservative Party figures not to cede any more ground to Brussels. Her white paper sparked the resignation of foreign secretary Boris Johnson and Brexit secretary David Davis, and while party figures have supported it, some have warned it should be a line in the sand rather than a flexible starting point for negotiations. Mr Salvini, leader of anti-immigrant party the League, said there is "no objectivity or good faith from the European side", adding: "My experience in the European parliament tells me you either impose yourself or they swindle you." His comments come after Mrs May and senior ministers embarked on a series of visits to EU27 countries in an attempt to get backing for her Brexit plan. It was dealt a blow by Brussels last Thursday as EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier rejected the customs proposals that form a key plank of her white paper. She had received a welcome boost on Friday after Austria agreed Brexit would be among topics for discussion at an informal meeting of EU leaders. Downing Street said Chancellor Sebastian Kurz agreed that Britain's departure from the EU would be on the agenda for the European Council being hosted by his country - which currently holds the EU presidency - on September 20. It means the Prime Minister has an extra gathering of leaders that she can try to convince to support her Brexit plan after a week in which ministers have been deployed to various capitals to woo senior politicians. The next meeting is a gathering of EU leaders in Brussels in October, by which time it is hoped a Brexit deal will have been hammered out. Mrs May has been backed by her local Conservative Association chairman. Richard Kellaway said the Maidenhead branch "fully supported" her plan and he had been impressed by a briefing on it for association heads in Downing Street by her chief of staff Gavin Barwell. Mr Kellawaysaid: "Most of us found it quite persuasive and convincing. We have received little criticism from our members. "I'm of the group of people who feel that it is not a great deal, but it is not bad."<doc-sep>
He said Italy “definitely” wanted the UK to walk away with a good deal Right-wing populist Matteo Salvini has spoken out in favour of Theresa May. It comes as she has been trying to gather support from the 27 EU members for her Brexit plan outlined in Chequers. He said Italy “definitely” wanted the UK to walk away with a good deal. The populist continued: “I hope the negotiations end well for the UK to serve as an example of the people coming out on top of the EU. “I remember the referendum stage as an example of participation and freedom; I hope it can be an opportunity for the British.” Theresa May has dispatched members of her cabinet across Europe to sell her Chequers deal. Her attempt to bypass the EU Commission by dealing directly with European leaders has stalled with some siding with the bloc’s position. But Mr Salvini seemed to support the Prime Minister and said Italy would be the UK’s friend in negotiations. Right-wing populist Matteo Salvini has spoken out in favour of Theresa May The populist also warned Theresa May she must take a tough stance with negotiations. Speaking to the Sunday Times, he said: “My experience in the European parliament tells me you either impose yourself or they swindle you.” The leader of the anti-immigrant Lega said the Prime Minister should be prepared to walk away without a deal. He added: “Because on some principles there is no need to be flexible and you should not go backwards.” Michel Barnier called the Chequers plans unworkable