Liam Fox becomes Boris Johnson’s candidate to lead World Trade Organisation
Boris Johnson (left) outlines a vision for Brexit watched by former Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA. - Credit: PA Archive/PA Images
Disgraced former defence secretary Liam Fox - also sacked by Boris Johnson as trade secretary - has been nominated by Boris Johnson to lead the World Trade Organisation.
Praised by the prime minister as a 'passionate advocate of multilateralism', reports suggest rival Peter Mandelson, a former Labour minister, was rejected for the role by the government for his pro-EU views.
The prime minister's official spokesman said: 'The PM will be writing to the WTO today and he will say that Dr Fox is a passionate advocate of multilateralism who brings detailed knowledge of the global trading system from his years as a UK Cabinet minister and secretary of state for international trade.
'He has first-hand experience of the political and technical challenges of negotiating trade agreements and the reforms that are needed to ensure the global trading system truly delivers for all WTO members.
You may also want to watch:
'Dr Fox will be supported by a cross-government team.'
Most Read
- 1 Jacob Rees-Mogg says it's 'all the EU's fault' musicians can't tour Europe
- 2 This chumocracy is costing our country
- 3 Bob Geldof takes swipe at No 10 saying 'lying is second nature' to them
- 4 Tory MP complains 'less scrutiny of trade deals' than when UK was in EU
- 5 No 10 says Biden removing Churchill bust ‘up to president’ despite Obama attack
- 6 Tory minister admits UK rejected EU's music visa offer in order to 'take back control' of borders
- 7 Fifteen ways to fix Britain
- 8 Piers Morgan tells Gavin Williamson to resign for being a 'catastrophe'
- 9 Poll finds Brexit-backing Wales would vote to rejoin EU
- 10 Who's on the BBC's Question Time tonight?
Pressed on whether being a Brexiteer is now a necessary qualification for senior appointments, the spokesman said: 'No.'
The Brexiteer has previously claimed that a Brexit deal with the EU would be 'one of the easiest in human history'.
He also said that the government would immediately agree 40 free trade deals with other non-EU countries the minute Britain leaves the European Union.
Fox would need support from another key player at the organisation to gain the job, but with links to Washington could manage to convince the US to back him.
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
