Liam Fox' Department for International Trade had been holding confidential briefings for the leaders of our major trading companies, to tell them about the UK's preparations.
The leaders were so appalled by the lack of readiness that some of them went public.
The department has put a stop to future briefings, as our dire situation was supposed to be kept quiet.
"Liam Fox’s trade department cancels business Brexit briefings
Halt to roundtables after details on lack of deals leaked by infuriated participants"
"The UK’s Department for International Trade, run by Liam Fox, has cancelled its regular meetings with business after details of a previous roundtable were leaked to the media."
"The department told business that while agreements with Switzerland, Israel and some African nations would be finalised by the UK by its scheduled EU departure date of March 29, there was no certainty other deals could be rolled over or duplicated in time. Business representatives at the meeting — who were infuriated at the lack of progress — were told its content was confidential. The EU has 40 preferential trade agreements covering 71 countries, which the UK needs to replicate whether or not it reaches a Brexit deal with the bloc."
https://www.ft.com/content/25b1eb3e-3e85-11e9-9bee-efab61506f44
The leaders were so appalled by the lack of readiness that some of them went public.
The department has put a stop to future briefings, as our dire situation was supposed to be kept quiet.
"Liam Fox’s trade department cancels business Brexit briefings
Halt to roundtables after details on lack of deals leaked by infuriated participants"
"The UK’s Department for International Trade, run by Liam Fox, has cancelled its regular meetings with business after details of a previous roundtable were leaked to the media."
"The department told business that while agreements with Switzerland, Israel and some African nations would be finalised by the UK by its scheduled EU departure date of March 29, there was no certainty other deals could be rolled over or duplicated in time. Business representatives at the meeting — who were infuriated at the lack of progress — were told its content was confidential. The EU has 40 preferential trade agreements covering 71 countries, which the UK needs to replicate whether or not it reaches a Brexit deal with the bloc."
https://www.ft.com/content/25b1eb3e-3e85-11e9-9bee-efab61506f44
