Airbus chief says govt has 'no clue' on how to deliver benign Brexit
Enders says departure in any form will harm economy
Attack comes as Cabinet prepares for stormy Chequers meeting
Airbus
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18:54 22/03/17
Airbus issued another warning over a hard Brexit as Prime Minister Theresa May's Cabinet prepared to meet at Chequers to resolve severe disagreements over the UK's final deal proposal.
Tom Enders, the aerospace giant's chief executive, told reporters at the Farnborough air show that May and her government were effectively clueless on how to exit the European Union without damaging the UK economy.
“The sun is shining brightly on the UK, the English (football) team is progressing towards the (World Cup) final, the RAF is preparing to celebrate its centenary and HMG still has no clue, no consensus on how to execute Brexit without severe harm,” Enders said.
His remarks follow a warning last month that business needed certainty over the shape of any post-Brexit deal. Hard line Brexiteers were quick to attack the company, typefied by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's retort: “Fuck business.”
May's warring Cabinet heads to her weekend retreat at Chequers with even her own Brexit Secretary, David Davis, reportedly mutineering against her.
Enders said Airbus was preparing for all Brexit scenarios.
“Rest assured that we are taking first preparations as we speak in order to mitigate consequences from whatever Brexit scenario may follow,” he said.
“Brexit in whatever form, soft or hard, light or clean, whatever you call it, will be damaging for industry, for our industry and damaging for the UK, whatever the outcome will be.”
“Let’s see what comes out of Chequers: white smoke, black smoke or no smoke,” he added.
May said she expected ministers to "agree the shape of our future relationship with the European Union".
"In doing so, we have a great opportunity - and a duty. To set an ambitious course to enhance our prosperity and security outside the European Union - and to build a country that genuinely works for everyone," May said in remarks released by Downing Street
"We want a deal that allows us to deliver the benefits of Brexit - taking control of our borders, laws and money and by signing ambitious new trade deals with countries like the US, Australia and New Zealand."
"This is about agreeing an approach that delivers decisively on the verdict of the British people - an approach that is in the best interests of the UK and the EU, and crucially, one that commands the support of the public and Parliament."
However, at least seven pro-Brexit ministers unhappy at the proposed deal, only shown to them late on Thursday, met at the Foreign Office to discuss their planned response.