Brexit: Theresa May urged to rule out interim deal

Image copyright PA Image caption The UK must have the flexibility to negotiate its own trade arrangements, Brexit campaigners argue Theresa May has been urged to rule out a transitional Brexit deal and ensure the UK"s full exit from the EU within two years of negotiations beginning.
Campaign group Leave Means Leave said a “clean, swift” exit should be among the PM"s red lines for upcoming talks.
It also said the UK must withdraw from the single market, customs union and common farming and fisheries policies.
On Thursday, a former top EU lawyer warned of a “catastrophe” for the UK if no interim trade accord was struck.
Jean-Claude Piris, head of the EU Council"s legal service from 1988 to 2010, said there was no way the UK could negotiate a new free trade deal with the rest of the EU in the two years set aside for determining the UK"s exit – warning it would take at least five years and probably more.
"Walk away"He told the Financial Times that the UK must..

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Chancellor urges Brexit interim deal

Chancellor Philip Hammond has backed a transitional deal for Brexit saying it would be “helpful” to allow longer than two years for the UK"s EU exit.
Mr Hammond told the Treasury select committee that there was an “emerging view” that it would be “helpful” to allow longer for the UK"s exit.
Committee chairman Andrew Tyrie said it sounded like two years was the “bare minimum” needed.
Both business and government would have to make changes, he said.
“I would not want anybody to think this is just about financial services,” Mr Hammond told MPs.
“For example, depending on what future customs arrangements are between the UK and European Union, there could be significant physical infrastructure changes that need to be made at ports of entry and exit, not only in the UK but on continental Europe as well,” he added.
He said there would also be a need to train large numbers of people in anticipation of a “much more intensive process at borders, so it"s not just the business s..

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