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Liam Fox is “seething” after No 10 issued a draft EU deal that Tories fear would bar him from signing future trade deals in a post-Brexit transition period, sources have told the Evening Standard.

The row was revealed as Theresa May headed for Chequers for a critical Cabinet committee meeting intended to forge a united front on Brexit with rebellions breaking out on all sides.

Mr Fox, the International Trade Secretary, was taken by surprise when the latest text was circulated to Cabinet ministers in their red boxes on Tuesday night, sources disclosed.

Crucially, it would stop him reaching free trade agreements even if they were “post-dated” and only due to come into effect after the transition period ends in around 2021, which will mark Britain’s final departure from EU rulings.

Downing Street insisted that Mr Fox would be able to sign trade deals during the transition, saying: “That is the position of the Government and I don’t believe there is anything from the European Commission to suggest otherwise.”

Asked why the text did not state that clearly, the PM’s spokesman said it was “simply the case”.

Leading Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg sounded the alarm, warning against “the perversion of democracy that BRINO [Brexit in name only] would be”.

He added: “Anyone can negotiate but for deals to be real they must be capable of being signed.” He called the draft “a perversion of democracy”.

Fewer Eu citizens moving to UK for work A big fall in the number of EU citizens moving to Britain to either work or look for a job has led to a new drop in the overall inflow of Europeans, official figures revealed today. The Office for National Statistics said that 122,000 Europeans came to the UK for employment during the 12-month period to the end of last September. That was 58,000 down on the equivalent total a year earlier. Most of the decline was down to fewer EU citizens coming to search for a job, although there was also a fall in the number arriving to take up a definite post. At the same time the number of Europeans leaving this country has also risen with the latest total of 130,000 departures at a level not seen since 2008 during the financial crisis. But despite these changes, there were still 90,000 more arrivals during the year from the EU than departures. There was also a net inflow from the eight east European countries that joined the EU in 2004 and the older “EU15” nations. Arrivals from Romania and Bulgaria also outstripped departures. Statisticians also published their latest update on net migration into the UK. It showed an overall net inflow of 244,000 people during the 12 month period. This was down by 29,000 on the total a year earlier.

A senior Conservative source said: “Liam is seething about this. Everyone knows that real negotiations only get going as you come up to signing a deal. That’s why it is vital to be able to sign post-dated deals during the implementation period.”

Mr Fox wants to make deals with America and India to be implemented after the transition. But the text issued by No 10 said: “During the [transition] period, the UK may not become bound by international agreements entered into its own capacity in the areas of exclusive competence of the Union.”

A source close to Dr Fox said: “He is not seething — as always he is being very loyal and supportive of the PM.”

The issue is bound to be raised at today’s Cabinet away-day. Two other Brexiteer ministers have told the Standard they think Britain should be free to make deals during the transition.

The Prime Minister faced trouble on several fronts before opening the meeting, which is scheduled to take eight hours including dinner.

Brexiteers strongly opposed a No 10 document that left the door open to a longer transition period. Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said there must be a fixed end date for all countries to plan for.

An ex-Tory Cabinet minister warned of Government defeats in the Lords. Viscount Hailsham said peers would “do our duty” to keep the benefits of the customs union and single market.

The European Commission rejected Mrs May’s “three baskets” approach to future regulations, under which there will be broad alignment of rules in most areas for two years.

Labour announced that Jeremy Corbyn will make a significant speech on Brexit policy on Monday — raising speculation he would announce a policy shift to unite with Tory rebels to keep the UK in a customs union.

Europe’s largest port, Rotterdam, warned of additional expense and delays to trade with the UK as a result of Brexit.