JD Wetherspoon's Tim Martin dubs CBI ‘drippy’ over Brexit

JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin on Wednesday took a swipe at CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn over Brexit negotiations as he revealed sales growth at his pubs empire.

Fairbairn last week told an audience at Cambridge University: “Leaving the negotiating table without a deal shouldn’t be ‘Plan B’ but ‘Plan Z’.” She also warned of “chilling effects”.

Martin said: “It is doubtful if Ms Fairbairn has ever been involved in serious business negotiations herself."

He added: "I think they [the CBI] are being drippy and pathetic in expecting the Government to pull rabbits out of hats. It’s unrealistic and damaging to demand the Government reaches a deal with the EU at all costs.”

The Brexiteer thinks the best policy is for Britain to say it is planning to trade on World Trade Organisation rules but is happy to do a deal with the EU if the terms are right.

A CBI spokesman said: “The dangers of a no deal scenario are real, as our member companies across multiple sectors have testified.”

Sales at Wetherspoons pubs open for more than a year rose 4% in the 13 weeks to April 23.

The firm expects significantly higher costs in the second half owing to factors such as higher bills for business rates.