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Wetherspoon chairman to go on Brexit tour of pubs to speak about 'huge economic advantages of leaving EU'

Tim Martin is keen on Brexit: AFP/Getty Images
Tim Martin is keen on Brexit: AFP/Getty Images

The chairman of J D Wetherspoon is to tour 100 of his pubs to champion the "huge economic advantages" of the UK crashing out of the EU with "no deal".

Arch-Brexiteer Tim Martin, who has recently been recovering from appendix surgery, will regale punters with what he says are the benefits of a no-deal scenario.

It comes as Theresa May remained under pressure from Tory Brexiteers to make changes to her draft agreement, particularly in relation to the Northern Ireland backstop.

Mr Martin said: "Now that the details of the appalling deal, negotiated by the Downing Street kitchen cabinet have become clear, it is certain the UK will be financially far better off by choosing no deal.

Prime Minister Theresa May is grilled over Brexit plans during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday (PA)
Prime Minister Theresa May is grilled over Brexit plans during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday (PA)

"The hard mathematics demonstrate beyond doubt that no deal leaves the public and the UK better-off on day one after Brexit.

"The UK will immediately gain by non-payment of the proposed £39bn, for which lawyers have repeatedly confirmed there is no legal liability.

"No deal also allows parliament, on 29 March 2019, to slash import taxes (tariffs) on over 12,000 non-EU products, including oranges, rice, coffee, wine and children's clothes.

"Ending these tariffs will immediately reduce shop prices to UK consumers."

Many businesses and think tanks have warned of dire results in a no-deal scenario.

Immediate and catastrophic consequences could lie ahead for millions of consumers if Brexit deal is not reached, watchdog Which? has warned.

Police have warned they may not have the resources to cope with “widescale disruption and dangers for the general public” that could result from a no-deal Brexit.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock last week publicly refused to rule out that people could die due to medicine shortages if Britain crashes out of the EU with “no deal”.