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Jeremy Hunt warns 'real risk' of no deal Brexit 'by accident' as he claims Vladimir Putin would 'rejoice' at UK crashing out of EU

Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary - Anadolu
Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary - Anadolu

Jeremy Hunt has warned there is a “real risk” of the UK crashing out of the European Union without a Brexit deal “by accident” as he said the only person who would welcome such an outcome would be Vladimir Putin.

The Foreign Secretary claimed a failure to reach a deal would cause a damaging “fissure” between the UK and the continent as he urged negotiators in Brussels to show more flexibility.

Mr Hunt said Mr Putin, the Russian President, would be the “only person rejoicing” if the two sides are unable to come to an agreement.

Mr Hunt also warned a withdrawal from the bloc without a deal would be “incredibly challenging economically” for Britain in comments which appeared to undermine Theresa May’s long-stated position that “no deal is better than a bad deal”.

His comments also appeared to clash with Dominic Raab, the newly appointed Brexit Secretary, who said on Sunday Britain will “thrive” even if there is no deal reached.

Jeremy Hunt and Heiko Mass - Credit: Anadolu Agency
Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, meets with Heiko Mass, the German Foreign Minister Credit: Anadolu Agency

Mr Hunt said the UK would thrive “in the end”.

Speaking in Berlin, he said: "Without a real change in approach from the EU negotiators, we do now face a real risk of 'no deal' by accident.

"That would be incredibly challenging economically. Britain would find that challenging but in the end we would find a way not just to survive but to thrive economically.

"But my real concern is that it would change British public attitudes to Europe for a generation.

"It would lead to a fissure in relations which would be highly damaging for that great partnership that we have had for so many years, which has been so important in sustaining the international order."

Mr Raab said at the weekend: "All of that planning [for no deal] is under way, from every aspect of the infrastructure to the legal position to make sure we’re ready for no deal and Britain thrives whatever the outcome of these negotiations." 

Meanwhile, Mr Hunt also said there would be “unintended geopolitical consequences” of the EU and the UK failing to strike a withdrawal deal.

Brexit | How long until the United Kingdom leaves the EU?
Brexit | How long until the United Kingdom leaves the EU?

He tweeted: “Excellent discussion with German Foreign Minister @HeikoMaas about the unintended geopolitical consequences of No Deal.

“Only person rejoicing would be Putin…”

Mr Hunt's trip to Berlin for talks with counterpart Mr Maas marked the start of a frenetic round of diplomatic activity for Theresa May's Government as the Prime Minister attempts to build support across Europe for her Brexit strategy.

The Prime Minister is expected to hold talks with Austrian counterpart Sebastian Kurz and other EU leaders at the Salzburg Festival on Friday.

Also this week, Mrs May's de facto deputy David Lidington will travel to Paris while Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab is expected to travel to Brussels for more talks with Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator.