Philip Hammond says his remarks were a poor choice of words

 

The chancellor has labelled the European Union's Brexit negotiators as "the enemy" - a remark he subsequently described as a "poor choice of words".

During a television interview, Philip Hammond also called the negotiators "the opponents" and said they should "behave like grown-ups".

But he tweeted later: "I was making the point that we are united at home. I regret I used a poor choice of words."

Mr Hammond is in Washington for an International Monetary Fund meeting.

He has been criticised for saying that the Brexit process has created uncertainty, and this week a former chancellor claimed he was trying to sabotage the talks.

During a series of media interviews in Washington, Mr Hammond told Sky News that "passions are high" in the party "but we are all going to the same place".

But he added: "The enemy, the opponents, are out there on the other side of the table. Those are the people that we have to negotiate with to get the very best deal for Britain."

Despite his regrets, Mr Hammond's comments drew fire from political opponents. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said it was an "inept approach from a failing government. Insulting the EU is not the way to protect our economic interests".

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