Ex-SAS soldier claims no deal Brexit would be a ‘blessing’ as the ‘hardship and suffering’ would bring back British values ‘Suffer together’ never appeared on the side of a red bus, critics said

A former special forces soldier has been ridiculed after he said a ‘no deal’ Brexit would be “a blessing” for Britain because the ensuing “hardship and suffering” would unite the country.

Anthony Middleton, who was an instructor on Channel 4’s hit show SAS : Who Dares Wins, put out his comments on Twitter which drummed up a barrage of criticism.

One noted that he couldn’t remember seeing a “suffer together” slogan in the Brexit campaign and others hit out that around five million children already live in poverty.

The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

The adventurer and explorer spoke out as Theresa May is trying to rework the Irish backstop in her withdrawal agreement to get hardline Brexiteer MPs to support her deal.

‘Extreme change is needed’

Parliament is expected to vote on her plan in January and if defeated Britain inches closer to either a people’s vote or risks crashing out of the EU with no trading framework in place.

Mr Middleton, who served in the Special Boat Service, a sister unit of the SAS, for four years to 2012 tweeted: “A ‘no deal’ for our country would actually be a blessing in disguise.

“It would force us into hardship and suffering which would unite & bring us together, bringing back British values of loyalty and a sense of community!

“Extreme change is needed!”

A ‘no deal’ for our country would actually be a blessing in disguise. It would force us into hardship and suffering which would unite & bring us together, bringing back British values of loyalty and a sense of community! Extreme change is needed! #nodeal #suffertogether https://t.co/4zVqegaWNi — Anthony Middleton (@antmiddleton) December 14, 2018

But users of the social media site hit back in a barrage of criticism.

Martha Knight wrote: “Great news Anthony, nearly 5 million children are already living in poverty in this country!! MERRY CHRISTMAS”.

Channel 4 news TV presenter Matt Frei said: ‏”Can’t remember seeing “suffer together” on the side of the red bus.”

Can’t remember seeing “suffer together” on the side of the red bus. — Matt Frei (@mattfrei) December 16, 2018

Christine Neale wrote: “‏Do you honestly think that WW2 was all Dad’s Army, jolly people building Anderson shelters & good old Mrs ‘arris helping out by putting kettle on for neighbour in trouble?

“Who do you think you’re kidding, Mr Middleton? The economy. Black market thrived.People died.”

Nick Sayce said: “Middle-class man tells poor people it’s not too bad if things get worse while counting his millions in the bank.”

‘Killed in action’

Others said they didn’t agree with Mr Middleton’s argument but defended him, saying he himself had suffered for his country as a former soldier.

One said: “As much as I don’t agree with his comment, I’d saying fighting for his country and seeing his friends killed in action, he’s suffered enough already.”

And Dick Mowbray wrote: “As much as we all respect your powers of endurance, most of us aren’t up to it – nor should we be.”