Liam Fox has suggested that devolved administrations be denied the right to veto trade agreements

Liam Fox is demanding the right to bypass the Scottish and Welsh governments when striking free trade agreements after Brexit.

The trade secretary has written to cabinet ministers suggesting that they deny devolved administrations the ability to veto deals, even if they allow in more genetically modified products, despite the bans on GM crops in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Dr Fox is also suggesting that the devolved administrations should not sit on the new board of trade that Theresa May has decided to reform. This is likely to be opposed by colleagues who fear it signals that the government is unwilling even to consult on trade.

In his letter, Dr Fox set out four options for negotiating trade deals, from agreeing a common position