A CERTAIN dreary and dismal familiarity has developed around the Tories’ desperate efforts to secure trade deals with countries outwith the European Union, having decided to turn their back on the UK’s biggest export market.

Britain has dramatically increased the value of weaponry and defence equipment it sells to the world’s most repressive regimes since vows by senior ministers to expand arms exports after the Brexit vote.

Ministers are desperate to sign new trade deals after damaging the UK economy with Brexit.

Trade secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan kicking off talks in Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Brexit was blamed for a decline in the UK's position in the table. / Researchers said uncertainties over Brexit appeared to have damaged the UK’s competitiveness after it came 23rd in the table, down seven places from 2016 when it voted to leave the EU.

One of the founders of GB News has suggested that the new TV network could run a campaign targeting and lambasting MPs, Lords and officials who were perceived as being opposed to Brexit.

Government clarifies position after critics accuse Boris Johnson of putting ‘Brexit over breathing’.