Pound plunges to 4-month low vs dollar on Brexit agony

AFP

THE pound struck fourmonth lows against the dollar on Wednesday after British MPs slammed Prime Minister Theresa May’s latest attempt to pass her Brexit plan.

In London trade, sterling sank below $1.2660 in the afternoon, a level last seen in January, while the European single currency hit a threemonth high at 88.25 pence.

“Politicians from all sides trashed her proposals, leaving the pound mired at fourmonth lows while the prime minister awaits her end of days,” said OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley.

“A settlement remains as distant as ever,” he warned.

May has already failed three times to pass her controversial withdrawal agreement in parliament, and has vowed to set out departure plans shortly after the next vote on her deal.

European stock markets meanwhile reversed an earlier, firm trend to push downards as dealers awaited the latest developments on the China-US trade war.

On Wall Street the Dow index lost around 80 points at the opening.

Analysts warned that stocks markets were on edge and any unsavoury headlines could precipitate a deeper selloff.

Sterling had rallied on Tuesday after prime minister May unveiled her revised EU divorce deal that included a promise for lawmakers to set a confirmatory referendum on whatever version of Brexit they end up approving.

However, the currency fell as quickly as it had risen as opponents of the original agreement attacked it as nothing more than a rehash.

May called the new proposals this parliament’s “last chance” to end a political deadlock but with key MPs led by arch-Brexiters still unmoved, it is likely to fall flat for a fourth time.

Failure to get the deal through parliament will more than likely see May resign and possibly be replaced by a more hardline leader -- most bets are on the controversial Boris Johnson -- who may well push for a no-deal exit, a scenario that could spell economic hardship.

Dealers are keeping a close eye on developments in the China-US trade tussle after the pair swapped tariff hikes.