Boris attacks customs union plea

BORIS Johnson hit out at a business group yesterday after it urged Britain to stay in a customs union with the EU.

The director-general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) will warn today that there is ‘too much ideology, too little urgency’ in Brexit talks so far.

Carolyn Fairbairn will make the case for a customs union after Brexit by spelling out the potential costs of quitting.

But the Foreign Secretary retaliated after a draft of her comments emerged. He tweeted: ‘Makes no sense for CBI to keep calling to stay in customs union.

‘PM was clear in Florence speech we are leaving. Brexit means taking control of laws, borders, money, and trade. I’m confident British business can profit from the new opportunities.’

In another tweet he said it would prevent the UK having a role in the World Trade Organisation, adding: ‘Staying in the customs union means effectively staying in the EU: the EU is a customs union.

‘It means no new free trade deals, no new export opportunities, and no leading role in the WTO.’ Miss Fairbairn is expected to say in a speech at Warwick University that a trade agreement leaving Britain outside the EU’s customs area could cost 2 per cent to 5 per cent of GDP.

Calling for a ‘soft’ Brexit, she will say: ‘Instead of ideology, we need facts.’