Chancellor Philip Hammond told MPs Britain was leaving the Single Market 15 minutes BEFORE Theresa May admitted it

THE CHANCELLOR trumped Theresa May by telling the Commons Britain was leaving the single market 15 minutes before the PM.

Philip Hammond insisted that the Government had kept as "many options as possible" open over the past six months.

3

But he said EU leaders had made their "political red lines" regarding free movement very clear.

And he said: "That’s why the Prime Minister is setting out right now the position that she is, which is that we will go forward understanding that we cannot be members of the single market."

The Chancellor was fielding MP questions as the Prime Minister began her Brexit speech.

3

He also hinted that Britain wanted to retain a foothold in the customs union. The Chancellor said the Government wanted an "ambitious free trade agreement" that allows companies to trade in Europe and European countries to trade in the UK with minimal disruption to supply chains.

Mr Hammond insisted that other countries around the world were keen to implement free trade deals with Brexit Britain.

Referring to the PM’s strategy, he told MPs: "This is engaging constructively with the real world, recognising the political red lines of our European Union partners."

RELATED STORIES

WE MAY HAVE TO WAIT

PM's landmark speech lays out clear vision for leaving EU - but letting MPs vote could DELAY Brexit

THANK EU

Germany praises Theresa May for bringing 'more clarity' with her Brexit speech

'A GLOBAL BRITAIN'

Theresa May outlined list of hard Brexit demands as she reveals plans in speech over EU departure

TIME TO TALK

EU chief praises Theresa May's Brexit speech as she sets down red lines on immigration, exit of the single market - but MPs still get a vote and we'll pay into the EU budget

He said: "If we don’t recognise them we are banging our heads against the wall.

"The discussions I’ve had with third countries that currently have free trade agreement with the European Union suggest a strong appetite for a quick, and simple agreement so as we leave the EU we are able to immediately enter into successor agreement with those countries such as Korea that will allow us to continue trading with them on the same terms."

3