A Tory MP has voiced his support for the Chancellor after Philip Hammond described Brussels as "the enemy" in Brexit negotiations.

Sir Bill Cash, MP for Stone, told Sky News: "I don't think that language is being used for the purposes of trying to enhance reputations.

"I think it's actually a sense of frustration because everybody know that there's a war of attrition going on and every single time we re-open the negotiations, they come back and you hear (European Commission President Jean-Claude) Juncker saying there isn't sufficient progress.

"Then you see Mr Juncker's speech and it's all full of their ideas for their kind of Europe.

"And you get exactly the same with (France's President Emmanuel Macron).


"It is inconceivable that we would accept the ideas that they're putting forward for their kind of Europe and yet they're creating a situation in which the United Kingdom is being threatened and that's not the way to treat us."

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Earlier, Chancellor Philip Hammond told Sky News that he understood emotions in the Government were running high, but urged his colleagues to stop squabbling and focus on the Brexit talks.

He said: "My message is this: I understand that passions are high and I understand that people have very strong views about this but we're all going to the same place, we all have the same agenda.

"The enemy, the opponents are out there, they're on the other side of the negotiating table. Those are the people we have to negotiate with, negotiate hard to get the very best deal for Britain."

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The provocative language is a major departure for the Chancellor, who has hitherto been regarded by his European counterparts as one of the most moderate, collaborative participants in the Brexit talks.

A matter of hours after making the controversial remark, Mr Hammond apologised for his "poor choice of words".

"We will work with our friends and partners in the EU on a mutually beneficial Brexit deal," he tweeted, ending his message with #noenemieshere.

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In an interview today I was making the point that we are united at home. I regret I used a poor choice of words (1/2). — Philip Hammond (@PhilipHammondUK) October 13, 2017

We will work with our friends and partners in the EU on a mutually beneficial Brexit deal #noenemieshere (2/2). — Philip Hammond (@PhilipHammondUK) October 13, 2017

Downing Street sources spoken to by Sky News have reiterated Prime Minister Theresa May's support of the Chancellor in the wake of what he said.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the comment was indicative of an "inept approach from a failing government".

"Insulting the EU is not the way to protect our economic interests," Mr McDonnell wrote on Twitter.

Inept approach from a failing government. Insulting the EU is not the way to protect our economic interests. https://t.co/CyvZWWGnzc — John McDonnell MP (@johnmcdonnellMP) October 13, 2017

Peter Dowd, Labour's shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, said Mr Hammond was "acting like Basil Fawlty on holiday".

Mr Hammond has been under extreme pressure from Cabinet colleagues in recent weeks, amid frustration that he is holding up the talks and being too pessimistic about Britain's prospects outside the EU.

His comments come at a fragile juncture for the Brexit talks, which are still mired in discussions about the size of Britain's divorce bill.

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Hours before Mr Hammond spoke to Sky News, Mr Juncker said: "I'm not in a revenge mood. I'm not hating the British.

"The Europeans have to be grateful for so many things Britain has brought to Europe before war, during war, after war. But now they have to pay."

Mr Hammond, who has been urged to resign by prominent Brexiteers, including former chancellor Lord Lawson, said he had no intention of standing down.

He described as "bizarre" allegations from some MPs that he was "talking down the economy".

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The Chancellor has been under fire after writing in a newspaper column this week that he had no immediate plans to spend more to buttress the economy against the prospect of there being no deal in the Brexit talks.