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White House has 'no idea about chlorine-rinsed chicken' as UK cabinet in poultry-based split

Donald Trump's communications director has admitted that he is unaware of the chlorine-rinsed chicken furore which is sweeping the UK.

Anthony Scaramucci told the BBC's Emily Maitlis that he has "no idea about chlorine-rinsed chicken" and laughed, bemused at the question.

Ms Maitlis asked: "Donald Trump tweeted that he is very excited about a big trade deal with the UK.

"Now, just to get into the specifics, our environment secretary said he would not do a deal with the US if it involved accepting chlorine-rinsed chicken. That's the big question that's going on in the UK at the moment.

"So, the question is, would the US administration make those concessions to do a deal with us?"

Mr Scaramucci replied: "You and I are meeting each other for the first time, I have no idea what's going on with chlorine-rinsed chicken, so even to pretend and make something up to you...I'm just not going to do that, OK?

"But if you want to interview me in a week or two, I'll tell you what's going on with chlorine-rinsed chicken."

After touching Ms Maitlis' hand, he said: "Donald Trump loves the United Kingdom".

Liam Fox said there was no issue with the chicken

Liam Fox, the Secretary of State for International Trade, accused the UK press of being "obsessed" with the issue, after  concerns that chicken which has been rinsed with chlorine in the US could hit our supermarket shelves in the wake of a post-Brexit trade deal.

However, Michael Gove started a Cabinet split after this when he said that the UK would not do a trade deal which involved chicken that had been rinsed with chlorine.

Dr Fox, who has the support of Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, wants agriculture to be included in free trade discussions and believes chlorine-washed chicken is safe to eat and should be included in any deal.

But asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if they would be allowed, Mr Gove replied "no."

Adding: "I made it perfectly clear, and indeed this is something on which all members of the government are agreed, that we are not going to dilute our high animal welfare standards or our high environmental standards in pursuit of any trade deal."

Here's a re-cap on the chicken issue if, like the White House, you don't know what's going on