70 DAYS TO SORT BREXIT Macron: Britain could get a special trade deal

BUSINESS CHIEF GIVES MAY ULTIMATUM

FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron says the UK could get a special trade deal with the EU after Brexit.

But he warns that Britain would not have full access to the single market without accepting its rules. He told Andrew Marr in an interview to be aired today that the UK could not “cherry-pick” the elements it liked.

A deal might fall somewhere CBI boss Carolyn Fairbairn will tomorrow give Theresa May until April to sort Brexit.

There are just 70 days left to give business the certainty it needs to plan for the UK’s withdrawal next year, the head of the bosses organisation will say.

But the PM and her Cabinet still cannot agree what to do.

Speaking at Warwick University, Mrs Fairbairn will say: “The UK team can’t agree with itself, let alone with the EU. There’s too little urgency. A no-deal scenario would be an act of great economic selfharm.” Ms Fairbairn will say they should reject Norway’s single market membership and Canada’s free trade deal. She will say: “It’s an ocean away from what we need. We can’t afford higher barriers to trade, nor can the EU.” Ms Fairbairn believes that our best bet would be membership of a customs union but that would restrict trade deals outside Europe. And she will warn Mrs May: “Time is running out. By March next year our country will be out of the EU.” Meanwhile the PM has ruled out any prospect of a second referendum. between the single market and a trade agreement, Mr Macron said.

“What is important is to not make people believe that it is possible to have your cake and eat it,” he said.