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| Barry Gardiner describes key part of Labour's Brexit strategy as 'b******s' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Labour frontbencher has described a key part of his own party's Brexit strategy as "b******s" at an event where he also came under fire for calling the Good Friday Agreement a "shibboleth". | |
| Barry Gardiner, the shadow international trade secretary, rubbished the idea that the UK could secure the "exact same benefits" after Brexit - which is one of Labour's six key tests for whether it would back the Government's Brexit deal. | Barry Gardiner, the shadow international trade secretary, rubbished the idea that the UK could secure the "exact same benefits" after Brexit - which is one of Labour's six key tests for whether it would back the Government's Brexit deal. |
| It comes as Mr Gardiner was forced to issue a statement saying he was "deeply sorry" for claiming the Good Friday Agreement had been "played up" during the Brexit talks for political and economic gain at the same event in Brussels. | It comes as Mr Gardiner was forced to issue a statement saying he was "deeply sorry" for claiming the Good Friday Agreement had been "played up" during the Brexit talks for political and economic gain at the same event in Brussels. |
| In a new recording, obtained by the BBC, Mr Gardiner reportedly said: "Well let's just take one test - the exact same benefits. B******s. | |
| "Always has been b******s and it remains it. | |
| "We know very well that we cannot have the exact same benefits and actually it would have made sense - because it was the Tories that said they were going to secure the exact same benefits - and our position should have been to say they have said they are going to secure the exact same benefits and we are going to hold them to that standard." | "We know very well that we cannot have the exact same benefits and actually it would have made sense - because it was the Tories that said they were going to secure the exact same benefits - and our position should have been to say they have said they are going to secure the exact same benefits and we are going to hold them to that standard." |
| The Brent North MP's comments will put him at odds with the Labour leadership, as the party has agreed it could only back the Government's final Brexit deal if six key tests were met. | |
| Brexit secretary Keir Starmer laid out the measures last year, which includes demands for fair migration, protecting workers' rights and replicating the benefits of staying in the single market. | |
| Mr Gardiner was speaking at thinktank event in Brussels last month, where recordings have now emerged of the question and answer session. | |
| Labour has been contacted for comment. | Labour has been contacted for comment. |
| More follows... | More follows... |