Tim Farron has accused Liam Fox of being a “second class Cabinet Minister enjoying First Class travel around the world,” after the International Trade Secretary was forced into an embarassing climbdown during a speech today at the WTO.

It had been reported earlier this week that the International Trade Secretary would use his speech to come out in support of leaving the EU’s Customs Union and seek a fully independent place on the WTO.

But in his speech today, Liam Fox instead made the heavily watered down claim that Britain will ‘continue to uphold’ its commitments under the WTO schedule we share with the rest of the EU.

Moving to full WTO status would mean abandoning Britain’s membership of the Single Market and the Customs Union, causing a massive increase in red tape for businesses.

Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron said:

“At a time when the business community needs clarity and stability, Liam Fox is saying one thing to the papers and another to our international allies.

“Not content with insulting British businesses, it seems he now wants to confuse them by sending mixed messages about our membership of the Single Market.

“These actions are deeply damaging for the UK economy, jobs and our global reputation.

“Clearly Liam Fox is incapable of speaking for our government or country; he is a second-class Cabinet Minister enjoying First Class travel around the world.

“Only the Liberal Democrats are fighting to protect Britain’s economy by remaining a full member of the Single Market.”