EVER since we voted for Brexit, there’s been a non-stop series of threats from the likes of France and Germany. If we dare to take back control of our borders, they say they’ll push us out of the single market.

Most of it is just hot air, since they export far more to us than we do to them. If they slapped tariffs on us and started a trade war, they’d be the main losers.

If the likes of France and Germany slap tariffs on us and started a trade war, they’d be the main losers Credit: Getty Images

But there’s another aspect to this that makes their threats even more limp.

Thirty-six of the countries that have done trade deals with the EU have already pointed out to Brussels that their agreements were made with a single market that included the UK.

And it was our presence in the single market that was one of the main lures in making a deal.

36 countries have already pointed out to Brussels that their agreements were made with a single market that included the UK Credit: Getty Images

If the EU forced us out of the single market in a fit of pique, then those countries would consider their own agreements with the EU void. As one put it: “If you punish Britain, we will punish you.”

The Remainers and Brussels want us to think we made a terrible mistake and the cards are all stacked in their favour.

We didn’t and they’re not.

Give crooks the boot

Just two out of the 453 foreign criminals freed from prison between April and June were sent home Credit: Getty Images

IF it wasn’t so usual, the revelation that just two out of the 453 foreign criminals freed from prison between April and June were sent home would be shocking.

But it’s par for the course. A combination of legal challenges — mostly based on so-called human rights — and Home Office incompetence means that 5,928 foreign offenders are still walking our streets after being released from prison.

The real picture is even worse, because that figure doesn’t even include lags from the EU — who we’re not allowed to deport while we remain a member.

It’s a scandal that goes back many years, including the last Labour government. There’s been a lot of tough talk from previous Home Secretaries — including Theresa May. They all say they’re going to stop it. But nothing ever happens.

Now Amber Rudd says she’s going to change the law to make it easier to deport foreign crooks. We’ve heard it all before.

Let’s see if Ms Rudd is any different.

Bunch of right Charlies

Charles and Diana's medical records were found stuffed down the back of a £10 filing cabinet at a warehouse in Bridgend Credit: AP:Associated Press

YOU would think Charles and Diana’s private medical records might be the kind of documents people kept safely under wraps.

It is scandalous that instead they were found stuffed down the back of a £10 filing cabinet at a warehouse in Bridgend.

Thankfully we were able to safely return the documents to the Palace.

This time they need to be under lock and key.