Farage hits out at PM over Brexit negotiations

THE “ludicrous” Brexit being negotiated by Theresa May will leave Britain in a worse position than if it was still in the EU, Nigel Farage has said.

The former Ukip leader said that under the Prime Minister’s plans it would be at least six or seven years before the UK can “reap any of the benefits of Brexit”.

And he called on the Conservatives to remove Mrs May and replace her with someone who genuinely believes in Brexit.

Speaking to ITV News political editor Robert Peston’s online series Now What?, Mr Farage said Mrs May’s handling of the process of EU withdrawal had been “terrible, shocking, appalling”.

“All we’ve seen is a continual kicking of the can down the road and we are now at the point where the very best outcome, from a Leaver’s perspective, is that we leave the treaties at 11pm on March 29 next year, but stay so wrapped up in everything through transition that it will be at least six or seven years before we can reap any of the benefits from Brexit,” he said.

Mrs May’s decision to secure a 21-month transition following the official date of Brexit in March 2019 had sent a message to investors that Britain “hasn’t got a clue” what it wants, leading to a lack of certainty, said Mr Farage.

And he warned: “If she is still in power, transition will last for 10 years.”

Asked if the Tories should remove Mrs May, he said: “Absolutely, of course, she’s a disaster.”