'ENEMY' GAFFE
Philip Hammond ‘branded a laughing stock’ as he issues an embarrassing apology for calling the EU ‘the enemy’
The Chancellor insisted he is prepared for Brexit talks to collapse without a deal
PHILIP HAMMOND has been labelled a "laughing stock" after he was forced to apologise for referring to the EU as "the enemy" while attempting to deny claims he is talking down the economy over Brexit.
The Chancellor insisted he is prepared for all Brexit outcomes after he was accused of failing to plan for the possible collapse of trade talks.
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Mr Hammond has come under fire from Brexiteers who are angry about his gloomy tone and want Theresa May to fire him.
Speaking from Washington, where he is attending a financial summit, the beleaguered Chancellor called on Tory MPs to unite to make negotiations on Brexit work.
He told Sky News: "My message is this - I understand that passions are high and I understand that people have very strong views about this but we're all going to the same place, we all have the same agenda.
"The enemy, the opponents are out there, they're on the other side of the negotiating table. Those are the people we have to negotiate with, negotiate hard to get the very best deal for Britain."
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Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell blasted the gaffe as an "inept approach from a failing government", adding: "Insulting the EU is not the way to protect our economic interests."
Mr Hammond apologised hours later for his apparent slip in calling EU officials "the enemy" - admitting that he had used undiplomatic language.
The Chancellor wrote on Twitter: "In an interview today I was making the point that we are united at home. I regret I used a poor choice of words.
"We will work with our friends and partners in the EU on a mutually beneficial Brexit deal. #noenemieshere"
But Tory backbenchers are reportedly angry at his stance, saying to the : "He has been told he has got to row in behind Brexit and be enthusiastic. He has tried to do that and messed it up. He has made a total Horlicks.
"It’s bit of a laughing stock. It is not exactly competent.
"Confidence in the Chancellor will be diminished again on the back benches and it wasn’t exactly high in the first place."
They said the Chancellor was now on thin ice with the Budget - warning he better not "make a hash" of it.
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Mr Hammond had also he was not being pessimistic about Brexit, saying: "It is absurd to pretend that the process we are engaged in hasn't created some uncertainty.
"But the underlying economy remains robust. I am committed to delivering a Brexit deal that works for Britain."
Mr Hammond denied the suggestion that he had not properly prepared for the possibility that we will crash out of the EU without a deal.
He : "The Treasury and other departments are planning for a full range of scenarios... and will make sure there are resources for all scenarios."
The Chancellor was also asked whether he would support Leave or Remain in a theoretical second referendum.
He replied: "We've had the referendum, you know how I voted in it."
Earlier this week, Mrs May also refused to answer the same question, while other ministers who backed Remain last year revealed they have now changed their minds.
Relations between the PM and Mr Hammond have become so bad that they can no longer be in the same room together, according to other Cabinet ministers.
But a spokesman for Mrs May said today that the PM backs the Chancellor, adding: "They have a very good working relationship and they work very closely together."
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