Anna Soubry accuses Boris Johnson of 'talking b******s' on Brexit

Anna Soubry: She called for Brexit supporters to 'get real'
Jeremy Selwyn
Mark Chandler18 November 2016
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Boris Johnson talks "b******s”about EU rules and needs to "get real" about the consequences of Brexit, a Tory former minister has said.

Anna Soubry revealed she would not attempt to block Brexit by voting against triggering Article 50 of the EU treaties in the Commons but launched an astonishing attack on the former Mayor of London.

The Remain-supporting MP insisted immigration was unlikely to come down after Brexit as the UK economy needed foreign workers to fill job vacancies, citing this week's employment statistics.

On Mr Johnson, she told the Guardian: "We actually now have a Foreign Secretary who said the EU tells us what quantity of bananas we're allowed to buy.

“It's just b******s. And that's the problem."

Ms Soubry also criticised Mr Johnson for getting into a row with Italy by suggesting the country should back a generous Brexit deal for the UK to avoid losing sales of its prosecco sparkling wine.

"I think Boris should understand the consequences of us leaving the single market and the customs union," she said.

"Boris needs to talk to British businesses, as I do. Boris and the rest of his people need to get real."

She spoke as business leaders and trade bodies renewed calls for Theresa May to secure transitional trade arrangements to give companies a "back-up" and certainty in case a post-Brexit deal was not ratified before the UK left.

Boris Johnson: Brexit challenge 
Getty

As research suggested EU free trade agreements (FTAs) took an average of six and a half years to complete, they urged the Prime Minister to take steps to ensure business was not harmed if the UK could not cut a deal before pulling out in 2019.

The Open Britain study showed that the 37 deals the EU has in place, covering more than 50 countries, took an average of four years to negotiate and two years to come into force.

The Canada-EU trade deal which was recently agreed took more than seven years to negotiate and is not in force.

By contrast, the UK will pull out of the EU following just two years of negotiations under the Article 50 process, which Mrs May has said she will trigger by April.

Business figures warned against rushing towards a deal which could harm Britain's economy and risk falling back on World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, which would see tariffs introduced.

International Chamber of Commerce UK secretary general Chris Southworth said: "Despite concerns over a prolonged Brexit, there is a huge amount at stake in the negotiations, so it is far more important we get it right than try and squeeze the process into an unrealistic timeframe.

"Transitional arrangements would provide insurance and a safety net should timeframes overrun - and, importantly, give businesses confidence to plan ahead without fearing a sudden increase in cost or disruption."

City of London Corporation policy chairman Mark Boleat said: "Brexit has brought with it a considerable amount of uncertainty for businesses and the services sector.

"This can result in important strategic business decisions being delayed and much needed investment postponed or withdrawn altogether.

"A transitional agreement would give businesses a greater degree of certainty and the time to make crucial decisions, which will ultimately support growth in both jobs and the economy."

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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