Far more Leave voters than Remainers think EU is bluffing on Brexit 'divorce bill'

The majority of Leave voters believe Britain will not be forced to pay a “divorce bill” before Brexit trade negotiations can begin — and that the government should call the EU’s bluff.

Recent reports suggest the EU has raised the exit settlement to €100bn (£84bn).

However, 65 per cent of Leave voters think that if Britain stands firm, the EU will negotiate on trade without a settlement being paid, according to a new poll.

A YouGov/Sunday Times survey found that just 29 per cent of Remain voters believe that the EU is bluffing, illustrating the chasm that still exists over Brexit.

Sixty-five per cent of Remain voters say that Britain should be willing to pay the settlement if it means that a trade deal is secured.

But 57 per cent of Leave voters say Britain should not be prepared to pay a financial settlement, even if it means no trade deal with the EU is secured.

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Seventy-three per cent of Leave voters also agree with Theresa May’s assertion that “no deal is better than a bad deal” after Brexit negotiations conclude in two years’ time.

The prime minister was recently urged to reconsider the impact of leaving the European Union without a deal in a report that has caused a major rift in the Commons Brexit Select Committee.

Angry Conservative MPs stormed out of a meeting after describing the 155-page document, which has now been published in full, as “too gloomy”.

The poll comes as relations between the EU and the UK deteriorated further after Theresa May accused unknown EU officials of seeking to disrupt the General Election.

Chancellor Philip Hammond has rejected reports the UK could be asked to pay as much £84.5bn to the EU upon exit.

“I don’t recognise this number, I genuinely don’t recognise it,” he said.

“It’s moved by 60 per cent in the space of a few days… What we do know is that we’re on the brink of a very tough, complex, lengthy negotiation.

“I’m not remotely surprised people are manoeuvring for opening advantage in that negotiation.”