There’s an interesting story on PoliticsHome, the respected Westminster news site this morning, headlined: ‘Ministers discuss prospect of the break-up of the UK in the event of a no-deal Brexit.’

Referring to yesterday’s Cabinet discussion, the report says:

‘Ms [Karen] Bradley [the Northern Ireland Secretary] told Cabinet that Northern Ireland would be worst affected part of the UK if there is a no-deal Brexit.

‘One Cabinet source said: “The view was that a border poll in Northern Ireland was all-but inevitable if there is a no-deal Brexit because Sinn Féin would demand it straight away. The Secretary of State would have no choice but to call one.”

‘Last November, a poll by RTE and the BBC showed that 62% of voters in Northern Ireland believed Brexit made a united Ireland more likely.’

The story also says that Scottish Secretary, David Mundell, warned that any second referendum on Brexit would be used as an excuse by Scottish nationalists for a second referendum on Scottish independence.

Given that Theresa May is so fond of professing her undying love for “our precious Union,” it seems strange that her ministers would find themselves talking openly about the break-up of the UK and then leaking it to the media.

So what’s going on? Three things, I think:

First, it’s an attempt to try to frighten the horses among the third of Tory MPs who currently don’t back Theresa May’s withdrawal deal ahead of next Tuesday’s meaningful vote on Brexit. It’s a classic attempt to squeeze the rebels by painting an apocalyptic picture that augments the considerable arm-twisting operation that’s now in full swing.

Second, it’s an attempt to spook the DUP (who the Tories rely on for their parliamentary majority), implying that by not backing the Prime Minister’s deal they are making a referendum on Northern Ireland’s existence – something they obviously don’t want to see – all but ‘inevitable,’ as the piece puts it.

Third, as Theresa May desperately tries to wring out any last-minute concessions over the backstop, it serves as a warning shot across the bow of the Irish Government, implying that they might have to pick up the pieces in terms of incorporating Northern Ireland much sooner than they would like.

What’s interesting for me is that the Tories are now prepared to use NI as bargaining chip in the great game of Westminster politics. I’ve written many times that there will be an audible sigh of relief when Northern Ireland is consigned to the history books, but if Karen Bradley’s warning came to pass, would we see the Conservative and Unionist Party act as midwife to a united Ireland?

Strange times indeed.