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Bum deal? UK could run out of toilet paper post-Brexit, former Labour MP tells French TV show

Leave protesters should be careful what they wish for, according to Denis MacShane (PA)
Leave protesters should be careful what they wish for, according to Denis MacShane (PA)

British bottoms could be in serious bother post-Brexit, with a former Labour MP warning that the country could quickly run out of toilet paper.

Denis MacShane, who was Tony Blair’s Europe minister for three years, told a French TV panel that a loo roll shortage could be just one of the consequences of our exit from the EU.

Speaking on TV news show C dans l’air (C in the Air) on Wednesday, the Remainer warned that a sudden reinstatement of the customs barriers could see truckloads of toilet roll unable to access the UK.

“The English are the biggest consumers of toilet paper in Europe,” he said. “There is only one day of stock at home.”

Denis MacShane pictured in the House of Commons in 2012 (PA)
Denis MacShane pictured in the House of Commons in 2012 (PA)

French newspaper Le Monde notes that, according to Statista, the average Briton worked their way through 127 loo rolls each during 2017, compared to the 134 typically used by Germans and the 71 used by the French.

Le Monde was reassured by Andrew Large, CEO of the British Confederation of Paper Industries, however.

He was happy to “calm the concerns over toilet paper”, saying that we have reserves of pulp to make paper, as well as reserves of finished toilet rolls to cover two to three weeks of use.

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This isn’t the first time that MacShane has raised concerns regarding a possible post-Brexit toilet roll shortage.

Speaking to Prospect in October he said: “If Britain leaves the EU Customs Union and single market in five months’ time and the trucks transporting toilet paper are held up at Calais or Dover, British bottoms will have to be wiped with torn-up newspapers as in bygone days.”

Proving he isn’t taking any chances, MacShane told C dans l’air: “I’m starting to cut newspapers, especially [those of] Rupert Murdoch, and I’m doing my little personal stock.”

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