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Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson has slammed the boss of Wetherspoons pubs after the launch of a range of pro-Brexit beer mats across the country.

Wetherspoon’s new beer mats accuse business leaders of “misleading” the public on Brexit and highlighted his firm’s support for the British fishing industry.

But city Mayor Joe Anderson has said people in Liverpool “won’t take much notice” of a man who wants to turn the UK into “Little England.”

In a stinging attack on the Tim Martin, Mayor Anderson also challenged him to a debate - and even criticised his firm’s breakfast offerings.

Half a million beer mats will be distributed in Wetherspoon’s 893 pubs across the UK, bearing the message that big business has tried to “fool” the public by saying food prices will rise without a deal with the EU.

They also state that when the UK leaves the EU in March 2019, Parliament can reclaim rights to the UK’s fishing grounds, ending EU policies which have “devastated” many coastal communities.

Mr Martin said: “The latest big business scare story is that the UK needs a ‘deal’ with the EU to avoid a ‘cliff edge.’

“Senior business people have repeatedly said that food prices will rise dramatically without one - this is the reverse of the truth.

He added: “Parliament can eliminate the tariffs the EU currently charges on food.

“This will reduce prices provided the UK avoids a deal and reverts to World Trade Organisation rules.

“These business leaders should be ashamed of their naked attempt to mislead the public.”

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But in a powerful response, the pro-EU Mayor Anderson said: “The reality is that people here won’t take much notice of what is on his beer mats.

“They are not stupid enough to believe someone who has got a vested interest in Brexit and who has a Little England approach to life.

“This nonsense about the fishing industries, the reality is that they would have been exhausted by now - so he is trying to kid people.

“I would love him to come to Liverpool and debate with me and talk about the £50bn Brexit divorce bill.

“There could be another £50bn in terms of the cost of people who will be made redundant because we are being turned into Little England.”

He added: “He is alright with his little fiefdom and millions in the bank.

“He needs to talk to people in this city who are facing losing their jobs.

“Brexit will do far more damage to the UK than EU fishing quotas ever did.

“People are waking up to the fact that they are being conned by big business.”

And in a final parting shot to Mr Martin Mayor Anderson added: “And you can tell him his all day breakfasts stink.”