Brexit talks: business chiefs warn against 'brinkmanship'

Business leaders today issued a urgent warning to Theresa May against “brinkmanship” in the Brexit negotiations amid fears of further deadlock.

Mrs May twice this week said the Government was preparing for the possibility of Britain leaving the European Union with no deal.

In a keynote address, British Chambers of Commerce director-general Adam Marshall was to say that failing to strike a trade deal would be a “lose-lose scenario” for both sides.

And he planned to warn: “It would be unforgivable for politicians on either side of the Channel to privilege brinkmanship and disruption over thriving trade.”

Tensions within the Government increased after Philip Hammond appeared to defy Mrs May’s no-deal warnings, saying he would not commit spending on preparations for such an exit until the last minute.

Mrs May was urged to “defend her Chancellor” after his stance sparked an onslaught from hard-Brexit backers among MPs and the media.

Former Tory minister Anna Soubry tweeted: “The PM must defend her Chancellor who represents Government policy.”