AN East Lancashire Euro-MP has supported former Foreign Secretary William Hague’s concerns about an over-hasty Brexit.

The ex-Tory leader this week backed Chancellor Philip Hammond’s proposal for a transitional deal for leaving the European Union.

Lord Hague described it as “a plan to rescue Brexit from an approaching disaster.”

North West Tory MEP Sajjad Karim, a former Pendle solicitor born in Blackburn who lives in Simonstone, said:”When William Hague speaks people listen because he is unique in that having held public office at the highest level; he is respected cross-political Party and internationally.

“Neither William nor I wanted to see a ‘Leave’ vote but although it was close, we both accept the democratic outcome.

“The only thing that has changed is he has become increasingly concerned about the manner in which our government is approaching the task of negotiating our exit.

“I agree totally with his position.

“He supports the Chancellor’s proposal as our best hope of salvaging something positive from this ridiculous mess we are in.

“We are fast becoming a laughing stock both at home and abroad and continuing down this path will see the hardest possible Brexit with no deal. “

Mr Karim added: “We are already seeing large businesses planning to move jobs to mainland Europe and the overall negative effects of leaving the zeal with no deal will see the UK become the “sick man of Europe” again with immediate effect post Brexit.”