Boris Johnson dismisses Brexit divorce fears after figures suggest leaving the EU will cost Britain £18billion
Foreign Secretary says getting out of the European Union will enable us to develop a new European partnership
BORIS Johnson has dismissed fears that Britain is heading for a bitter divorce with the EU as reports suggest it could cost £18billion.
The Foreign Secretary said it will not be an “acrimonious divorce” and instead will be the opportunity for a new relationship.
Speaking to a parliamentary committee this morning he said: “I think it is so important to recast this whole conversation and ... to stop thinking of it as this acrimonious divorce.
“It's not going to be like that, it's going to be the development of a new European partnership between Britain and the EU."
And he said the Government will be able to get Britain out of the EU within the two year time frame.
He added: “I think there will be a deal ... If it can't be done in two years then there are mechanisms for extending the period of discussion.
The FT said its analysis represented the first attempt to calculate the UK's liabilities on leaving the EU.
The Government has not commented on the FT report.
A spokesman said: "As the Prime Minister has said, we will invoke Article 50 no later than the end of March next year.
“We are not going to provide a running commentary on leaving the EU."
Theresa May is continuing her mini-tour of European capitals ahead of the EU summit later this month with talks in Madrid with Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy.