Remainers ‘are harming our national interest by demanding Brexit detail’

BREXIT Secretary David Davis told MPs yesterday that attempts by Remainers to force the Government to spell out its negotiation strategy are “damaging the national interest”.

The stark warning came as Mr Davis also agreed with an assessment that the EU would be “committing economic suicide” by punishing Britain for its departure.

In his first regular questions session in the Commons as Brexit Secretary, Mr Davis turned his fire on Labour for harming Britain if it pursued a policy of forcing the Government to reveal all its negotiation strategy.

Result

Labour is spearheading a group of Remain MPs – a cross-party group dubbed the “Remoaners” – which is trying to force the Government to get permission for its negotiating strategy in what many believe is a bid to reverse the result.

Part of the move is an attempt to insist on Britain staying in the EU’s single market which, according to European Council President Donald Tusk, means the country will be forced to stay in the EU.

Labour’s shadow Brexit minister Jenny Chapman asked Mr Davis whether his plan will involve the UK agreeing to continue to make payments to the EU after Brexit.

Mr Davis replied: “You know that is not one I’m going to answer.”

He later added: “What the Opposition is trying to do is to put us in a disadvantaged position. That is not in the national interest.” European Commission guidelines state it is “entirely normal” for negotiations not to be made public in order “to keep chances for a satisfactory outcome high”, he said.

Earlier, Shipley Tory MP Philip Davies pointed out that punishing Britain for leaving would cause more harm to the EU.

He asked: “Is not the only question of principle at stake whether the EU want to carry on with tariff-free trade with the UK or do they want to commit economic suicide?”

Cabinet minister Mr Davis noted Mr Davies had made a “good point” about the ruinous effect of the EU failing to offer Britain continuation of free trade.