THE CHANCELLOR has hit out at the Brexit Minister David Davis for antagonising Angela Merkel and putting the UK’s EU negotiations at risk.

Philip Hammond believes his ‘aggressive’ Cabinet colleague should be barred from talks with Brussels.

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And sources close to him say he has made similar attacks on the other two of the so-called “Three Brexiteers” - Boris Johnson and Liam Fox.

Friends told the Mr Hammond, who favours a more softer Brexit than Mr Davis, has given warnings in private about the trio’s “bull in a china shop” antics.

The Chancellor is apparently upset at Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson’s “pro cake and eating it” boast, saying Britain could slash immigration while retaining access to lucrative EU markets.

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His thoughts on International Trade Secretary are even more damning, saying Mr Fox should keep out of the dealings to craft complex post-Brexit trade deals, and focus on boosting exports instead.

It comes after we reported that Mr Hammond and Mr Fox were coming to blows over staying in the customs union.

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With suggestions one of them may have to leave the Cabinet over it, such is their in opinion over the tinderbox issues.

He has been alarmed by the slump in the pound, and flew to America this week to speak with Wall St banks and reassure them over the status of the UK finance sector.

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And his comments come after all three have received rebukes from Theresa May in recent weeks for going off-message about Brexit.

The Prime Minister slapped down Mr Davis for saying it was “highly improbable” Britain would stay in the single market.

Mr Johnson also sparked controversy for saying Britain could be out of the EU as early as the end of 2018, ahead of Mrs May’s announcement about the timetable for Brexit.

And Dr Fox got into hot water for calling British businessmen “fat and lazy”.

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The signs show the growing rift between the ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ Brexiteers, with Mr Hammond, leader of the ‘soft’ side, fearing the tactics of his colleagues could jeopardise this.

One source close to the Chancellor said: “Davis can be very aggressive but being aggressive to Angela Merkel does not work. She responds to reasonableness.

And in attacking the other to Brexiteers they added: “Bull in a china shop tactics won’t work.”

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