Former civil servant’s Remain lobbying

Liam Fox is set to take to the stage this afternoon to give a speech on the opportunities of free trade as part of the government’s roadmap to Brexit. Only the International Trade Secretary has already hit a bump in the road. The former permanent secretary at his department, Martin Donnelly, has launched a broadside attack on the government’s plans. He has likened leaving the EU single market and customs union to ‘rejecting a three-course meal now in favour of the promise of a packet of crisps later’.

Putting aside why Donnelly ever thought it would be a good idea to work in a department dedicated to free trade if he was so against it, Mr S can’t help but think that the timing is all rather suspect – with the intention to cause maximum embarrassment to Fox and the government.

Of course Donnelly would know how to create a big impact. Since leaving government he has been working at Teneo Blue Rubicon, the public affairs group.