Fox dismay over Brussels bullies

LIAM Fox yesterday hit out at the EU for acting “like a gang” by trying to bully Britain in Brexit negotiations.

In a sign that tolerance for Brussels posturing is running out among senior ministers, the International Trade Secretary urged the bloc’s chiefs to stop threatening to “punish” the UK for leaving the EU and acquire some “decorum and patience”.

Dr Fox, a leading Brexiteer, spoke during an appearance

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at the British Chambers of Commerce annual conference in London.

He criticised a draft negotiating document published by EU Council President Donald Tusk this week that insisted Britain will have to accept “negative economic consequences”.

Dr Fox said: “Punishing Britain, to me, is not the language of the club, it is the

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language of the gang. I do believe rationality and common sense will win the day if we conduct ourselves with decorum and patience.”

His warning came as the European Commission billed the Government for more than £2.4billion of underpaid customs duties on clothes and shoes arriving at British ports from China since 2007.

A Downing Street official said the Government “did not recognise” the figure.

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