Britain may end up paying billions of pounds to the European Union to preserve trading deals, it emerged today.
Downing Street refused to rule out the idea of payments, which is being discussed in Whitehall following falls in the Pound caused by talk of a so-called hard Brexit.
BBC Newsnight reported an unnamed Cabinet minister saying the UK could have to pay “quite a lot” of the money it currently pays in contributions for EU membership.
A No 10 spokeswoman said: “We will not provide a running commentary on our negotiating position, but we have been very clear that all decisions about taxpayers’ money should be made in Britain.”
If payments are made, they would dismay Brexiters who claimed in the Vote Leave campaign that £350 million a week could be saved.
Theresa May today accepted a Labour motion in the Commons calling for Parliament to be able to “properly scrutinise” her Brexit strategy before the formal exit process.
