Jeremy Hunt has called warnings by Airbus and BMW surrounding Brexit “completely inappropriate”.
The Health Secretary told the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday that businesses were making “siren voices” and undermining the government at a critical time during negotiations.
“It was completely inappropriate for businesses to be making these kinds of threats, for one simple reason,” he said. “We are in a critical moment in the Brexit discussions. We need to get behind Theresa May to deliver the best possible Brexit, a clean Brexit.”
“The more we undermine Theresa May, the more likely we are to end up with a fudge, which would be an absolute disaster for everyone,” he added.
His comments come following Airbus’ (EPA: AIR) warnings last week to leave the UK if the government exits the single market and customs union without a transition deal.
BMW (ETR: BMW) also warned that Brexit clarity was required by the end of the summer.
Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, made similar comments to Hunt and said “If we actually say we’ll accept any deal you give us rather than walk away, that weakens our negotiating position.”
“And people who are making these comments need to understand that they may be actually putting the UK at a disadvantage by making these cases.”
In contrast, Edwin Morgan, director of policy at the Institute of Directors, supported the concerns raised by businesses in the UK.
“Business leaders have every right to speak up about their needs and concerns as we approach incredibly significant negotiations for the future of this country,” he said.
“Firms think very carefully before sticking their heads above the parapet, so they should be listened to by politicians, not dismissed. Companies have to honestly assess the risks they face, and spelling them out should never be brushed off as a ‘threat’.”