[1andrew1]

Brexit may be "even more brutal than expected" due to the UK's negotiating "failures", Sir John Major has said.

In a speech in London, the ex-prime minister said the UK's "inflexibility" and "threats" towards the EU would make future trade "less profitable".

And he warned of the "corrosive" impact to the UK's reputation of a proposed law giving ministers the power to over-ride aspects of the Brexit Agreement.

Peers will vote shortly on whether to amend the Internal Market Bill.

They are expected to remove a series of clauses which would give the UK the right to disregard obligations in the Withdrawal Agreement with the EU in relation to Northern Ireland, a move that Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis has conceded would break international law...

In his speech, recorded before Joe Biden's election as US president was confirmed on Saturday, Sir John also warned that the UK's departure from the EU made it "less relevant" to its oldest and strongest ally.

While the UK had enormous strengths and assets, he said it was "no longer a great power" in a world dominated by the US, China and the EU and was struggling to "punch above its weight" on the international stage.

"Our hefty international influence rested on our history and reputation, buttressed by our membership of the European Union and our close alliance with the United States.

"Suddenly, we are no longer an irreplaceable bridge between Europe and America."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54879209