Sir Ivan fires another Brexit broadside

A “cliff-edge” Brexit with no exit deal would be “insane” and economically damaging for the European Union and Britain, but that does not mean it will not happen, the UK’s former ambassador to the EU has said.

Sir Ivan Rogers, who quit in January after telling Theresa May that Brussels diplomats thought it might take 10 years to reach a deal, said the EU has a strong incentive to reach an agreement.

But he warned its “legalistic” nature could mean that if the Prime Minister follows through on her threat to quit with no agreement rather than accept a bad deal, “everything falls away”.

Appearing before the Commons Brexit Select Committee Sir Ivan said the consequences of the UK falling off the “cliff edge” into a “legal void”, relying on World Trade Organisation rules, would be “nuts” and both parties need to strike a deal.

He pointed out that Bank of England governor Mark Carney has said such a scenario could affect eurozone stability.

Sir Ivan Rogers.