The chairman of a leading pub chain has accused the CBI of offering "foolhardy advice" about Brexit in a blistering attack on the high-profile business organisation.

Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon, said the "desperation" of the CBI for the UK to strike a deal with the EU risked undermining the Government's negotiating position.

Mr Martin made the comments in his company's latest trading update, which showed that like-for-like sales increased by four per cent and total sales increased by 1.3 per cent for the 13 weeks to 23 April.

Year-to-date like-for-like sales have gone up by 3.5 per cent and total sales increased by 1.4 per cent.

Commenting on Brexit, Mr Martin wrote: "A number of individuals and organisations, which previously supported UK membership of the euro and its disastrous predecessor the ERM, and who recently promoted the erroneous view of a severe economic downturn in the immediate aftermath of a leave vote in the referendum, are again offering the government advice.

"For example, Carolyn Fairbairn of the CBI has recently said that 'leaving the negotiating table without a deal shouldn't be Plan B, but Plan Z'.

"It is doubtful if Ms Fairbairn has ever been involved in serious business negotiations herself, since this is the same as a housebuyer saying to a seller, 'I must have your house at any cost'.

"In this case the buyer will not pay the market price, but will pay the maximum that the seller believes he can afford.

"It is hard to believe that such foolhardy advice could emanate from a business organisation.

"As many people have said, including many remain supporters, it is essential to adopt an approach that stresses the UK's willingness to trade on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms, possibly abolishing import tariffs unilaterally, which would lead to substantial reductions in consumer prices- and increased living standards.

"The current desperation of the CBI and others for a 'deal' is only encouraging the absurd posturing of the unelected 'President' Juncker and his acolytes, and creates an absurdly pessimistic picture of the UK's position if a sensible deal is not forthcoming.

"As EU businesses know, they will suffer acutely if UK companies and consumers switch their allegiance to domestic or other non-EU suppliers.

"The CBI should let those businesses make the case for a free trade deal, rather than undermining the government's negotiating position."

Do you agree with Tim Martin? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk 

Picture credit: pixabay

Readers' comments:

Ed Kynaston: Good on him for attacking the stupid posturing of those that allegedly run the CBI.

Talk about stabbing our own side in the back, the CBI should be ashamed of itself for posing such an anti-British attitude. Whose side do they think they're on?

We as a country voted for Brexit and we should show a united front to negotiate the best terms possible for this country and not pander to a few remoaners who can't wait to roll over and be dictated to by the Brussels machine. 

Brexit will happen now article 50 has been triggered so it's time to stop all the backstabbing and get on with it. There is no going back.