Stop squabbling and get on with the job, Theresa May tells her ministers

The Prime Minister might be getting lungfuls of Alpine mountain air right now as she continues her holiday in Switzerland - but she's been reminded of a potential toxic rivalry back home among her Brexit ministers.

I'm told Theresa May is "unimpressed" after she heard of reports of a turf war between two ministers who campaigned to leave the European Union: Boris Johnson and Liam Fox.

Dr Fox, who heads up the new Department of International Trade, has made a land grab on parts of the Foreign Office operation controlled by Boris Johnson.

The International Trade Secretary has demanded a transfer of staff who currently work in the Foreign Office's economic diplomacy team.

Liam Fox Credit: PA

In a letter to his Cabinet colleague, Dr Fox warned the UK's ability to expand exports would be hampered unless that expertise was brought under one roof (his roof that is, at the Department of International Trade).

Boris Johnson has replied to the letter and he firmly rejected Liam Fox's proposals.

It is evidence of tensions in the new Cabinet - not between former Remain and Leave ministers - but between those who campaigned passionately for Brexit.

Theresa May appointed a number of high profile ministers who fought on the opposing side to her in the referendum: Boris Johnson, Liam Fox, David Davis, Andrea Leadsom and Priti Patel.

The biggest areas of overlap are - and will continue to be - between the Foreign Office, Department for International Trade and Department for Exiting the European Union.

Theresa May on holiday in Switzerland Credit: PA

Despite being on holiday, the Prime Minister has told her ministers to get on with the job - and has let it be known that she strongly disapproves of this kind of behaviour.

A senior government source told ITV News there is "no time to be wasted" on arguments over which department staff should work in - and voters "expect the government to deliver" a successful Brexit plan.

Labour's Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry said today the mess was of Theresa May's own making as she created these new government departments simply to "buy the loyalty of Liam Fox, Boris Johnson and David Davis" which she claimed has resulted in "dysfunction and turf wars."