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Peter Lilley, who served under Margaret Thatcher and John Major, thinks if the EU shows some common sense regarding trade tariffs the negotiations could be wrapped-up in no time - and he claims Ivan Rogers agrees with him. The UK’s former Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the European Union, who sensationally resigned in January, apparently spoke with Mr Lilley and admitted there was no need for protracted talks.

GETTY Peter Lilley thinks Article 50 negotiations could take just 10 minutes

If Britain is prepared to offer the EU a no tariff agreement and the Eu is willing reciprocate then there is nothing left to talk about, according to the Tory grandee. He said: “If we are starting from a position of no tariffs and are working towards a position of no tariffs then there’s no need for it to take longer than 10 minutes. “What’s there to negotiate? I put this to Ivan Rogers and he agreed with me.”

Key Quotes: Sir Ivan Rogers reveals Brexit worries Wed, February 22, 2017 Speaking to the Exiting the European Union Committee, Sir Ivan Rogers said finance ministers across the bloc are racing to consider how they will raise cash after Britain leaves the EU Play slideshow Getty Images, 1 of 5 'On free movement there are anxieties about free movement'

Mr Lilley, who believes leaving the EU will save Britain £250 million a week according to figures produced by the Office of Budget Responsibility, thinks Britain would do just fine even if the EU turned down a no tariff deal. He thinks the UK could trade with the EU under World Trade Organisation rules, which are currently used by countries like America and China. He said: “There’s nothing to be afraid of. The World Trade Organisation was set up to promote international trade.

GETTY Ivan Rogers resigned over fears about Brexit