Dominic Raab admits he didn’t understand ‘how reliant UK trade is on Dover-Calais crossing’ Brexit Secretary admits UK consumers could see range of goods affected

The Brexit Secretary has admitted he did not realise how important the trade route is between Dover and Calais to ensuring the UK is fully stocked with goods.

Dominic Raab made the startling confession while speaking at a tech event, during which he said the choice of goods available to UK consumers would be affected without frictionless trade between France and Britain.

Mr Raab also described Britain as a “peculiar geographic economic entity”, due to its location off the coast of the European continent.

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Did not understand

Speaking at a Tech Nation event in central London, the Cabinet member said: “I hadn’t quite understood the full extent of this but if you look at the U.K. and look at how we trade in goods, we are particularly reliant on the Dover-Calais crossing.

“And that is one of the reasons why we have wanted to make sure we have a specific and very proximate relationship with the EU, to ensure frictionless trade at the border,” he said.

Limited choice

The heads of big business, such as hauliers, supermarkets and pharmaceutical companies have warned that without the continuation of seamless trade between Calais and Dover there could be shortfalls in supplies.

But Mr Raab dismissed the suggestion there would be a risk of “major shortages”, adding: “I think probably the average consumer might not be aware of the full extent to which the choice of goods that we have in the stores are dependent on one or two very specific trade routes.”

His comments were pounced on by those opposed to Brexit.

Physicist and broadcaster Professor Brian Cox criticised the comments, stating: “How could it possibly come as a surprise to Dominic Raab that our most important trade gateway is that which is closest geographically to our most important market?”

How could it possibly come as a suprise to Dominic Raab that our most important trade gateway is that which is closest geographically to our most important market? https://t.co/kCSMWywsw7 — Brian Cox (@ProfBrianCox) November 8, 2018

Prof Cox also tweeted a video of the Brexit Secretary making the admission.

I’m sorry but I have to retweet this once more – it’s so much worse on video. To paraphrase: The UK is peculiar geographically, in that, and I hadn’t quite fully understood the extent of this, it really is very close to France. https://t.co/3kTjMeBXzj — Brian Cox (@ProfBrianCox) November 8, 2018

Former adviser to Tony Blair Alastair Campbell described the comments as a “s**tshow”.