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AFP
LONDON
THE British government on Thursday published its long-awaited Brexit blueprint aimed at restarting stalled talks with the European Union, only for it to be panned by eurosceptics, the City of London and the US president.
Prime Minister Theresa May said her plan to keep close economic ties with the EU once Britain leaves the bloc next March was"principled and pragmatic".
It would see Britain follow EU rules on goods to protect cross-border trade and avoid checks on the Irish frontier, while enabling it to control migration and sign new non-EU trade deals, including in services.
But the idea of staying tied to the bloc for years after Brexit prompted two ministers to quit her cabinet this week, and has revived talk of a leadership challenge in May's Conservative party.
When the details were finally published in a 98-page document Thursday, eurosceptic MPs were quick to condemn the plan -- aided by Donald Trump.
As he headed to Britain for his first official trip, the US president said that"I don't know that this is what [people] voted for" in the Brexit referendum in 2016.
The plan won support from some business groups, but the City of London warned its provision for looser ties for financial services were a"real blow" for the all-important sector.
During the launch of the plan, the House of Commons was briefly suspended by Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab due to heckling.
MPs were angry they had not seen the document beforehand, prompting the speaker to give them five minutes to find a copy.
Raab -- who was appointed on Monday after his predecessor David Davis quit, followed by foreign minister Boris Johnson -- then faced more jeering as he said that a"deal was within reach" with Brussels.
The response from the European Union, which must ultimately agree the deal, was cautious with chief negotiator Michel Barnier saying on Twitter that he would analyse the proposals.
