Delegation of Pro-Brexit supporters give gift of English hamper to EU negotiator Michel Barnier

A delegation of Brexit supporters presented EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier with a hamper of English food as they urged him not to underestimate Britain’s influence.

The group met Mr Barnier to warn that the UK will not sacrifice its “newly-won freedoms” to secure a trade deal.

The group, including former trade minister and ex-CBI chief Lord Jones of Birmingham, Leave Means Leave co-chairman John Longworth and Labour Leave chairman John Mills met Mr Barnier in Brussels, presenting him with a hamper of gifts including Marmite, Hendrick’s gin, PG Tips and several books.

<em>Gift – The delegation of Brexit supporters were expected to present Michel Barnier with a hamper of English products (Picture: AP)</em>
Gift – The delegation of Brexit supporters were expected to present Michel Barnier with a hamper of English products (Picture: AP)

Mr Longworth, a former director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said he would tell Mr Barnier that any post-Brexit trade deal must not restrict the UK’s “economic and regulatory freedom”.

He said: “I will use this opportunity to make it clear to Mr Barnier that the British people will not exchange their newly won freedoms for a trade deal with the EU.”

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He added: “Crucially, this means that the UK will have the economic and regulatory freedom for our businesses to thrive.

“The EU must accept that in the event that a transition period is required, it will be both limited in its coverage and fixed in its length and an FTA (free trade agreement) must be agreed before the transition begins.”

He said the speed of negotiations “must be intensified”, adding: “If the heads of terms on the FTA are not agreed by mid-2018, the UK Government will have no option but to postpone any trade negotiations and revert instead to global rules of trade under WTO in order to provide assurance and stability to British businesses.

“I have no doubt that Britain will thrive with or without a trade arrangement with the EU so long as the Government leverage our newly won economic freedoms.”

(Top picture: Getty)