Business Secretary hints the Brexit transition could be EXTENDED leaving the UK tied to the EU for years as he slaps down Boris Johnson for jibe at bosses
- Greg Clark told Sky News the end of transition should be guided by 'facts'Â
- Business Secretary insisted Brexiteer Liam Fox had already said the same thingÂ
- Clark slammed Boris Johnson for dismissing concerns by saying 'f*** business'
The Business Secretary hinted the Brexit transition could be extended today in a decision that could leave the UK tied to the EU for years.
Greg Clark insisted that whether transition ends on schedule at the end of 2020 should be 'guided by the facts and evidence'.Â
He warned British ports had to be fully ready before Britain fully moves into the post-Brexit future to avoid chaos on the borders.
Port operators have said they can build new customs systems in time - but only if a trade deal defining the rules is in place by Brexit day in March 2019.
Business Secretary Greg Clark (pictured on Sky News today) hinted the Brexit transition could be extended today in a decision that could leave the UK tied to the EU for years
Talks have been deadlocked for months and fears are growing of a no deal Brexit, alarming business leaders worried about uncertainty.
Mr Clark slapped down Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's jibe that bosses were damaging Brexit and his claim behind closed doors the Government should 'f*** business'.
Asked by Sky News' Sophy Ridge if transition should be extended, Mr Clark said: 'At all times we need to be guided by the evidence on this.
'Speaking to the people that run this very successful port (Dover) and the same with Eurotunnel in order to make sure that we can continue the success, and that we don't have frictions there are things that would need to put in place, computer systems for example, posts at the border, even if they checked automatically number plates.
'What we need assess is how long it would reasonable take to put in practice and the it seems to me that any reasonable person would have to be guided by the facts and the evidence.'
He warned British ports had to be fully ready before Britain fully moves into the post-Brexit future to avoid chaos on the borders (file image of the Port of Dover)Â
Mr Clark ruled out any extension to Article 50 but said when it came to putting in place the arrangements for the UK's final exit 'we have to be guided by the evidence'.
Asked whether the customs partnership Brexit option, which would mean the UK applies the EU's own tariffs and rules of origin to all goods arriving in the country, was still on the table, Mr Clark said 'yes'.
He said: 'We've got two groups that are looking at it, we've made a lot or progress in each of the groups.
'The purpose of having the two groups was to look in detail at the practicality of both the customs partnerships as it's been termed and the maximum facilitation model, and they are coming to a conclusion, the Government will take a view on which is the most promising.Â
Mr Clark was later asked what he made of interventions from Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in light of Brexit warnings from Airbus.
The firm warned it would have to consider its position in the UK in the event of a no deal - to which Mr Johnson is reported to have uttered a four-letter expletive.
Mr Clark defended the right of business to speak out, adding: 'I think the collective responsibility we have is there for a reason, I think it's important.'Â Â
Mr Clark slapped down Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's jibe that bosses were damaging Brexit and his claim behind closed doors the Government should 'f*** business'
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