THE leader of Business West has called for compromise after resignations and political turmoil raged through Westminster over Brexit yesterday.

Phil Smith, the managing director of Business West, which supports thousands of companies across the South West, including Swindon, said the political in-fighting could do lasting damage to businesses if the details of trade deal weren’t agreed before March 29.

“Whatever the views about Brexit, we had hoped that this was a deal which would allow businesses to trade through a transition and start to plan for a future trade arrangement,” he said.

“The current political instability and series of ministerial resignations seem to create even more uncertainty, at precisely the time businesses were hoping to be able to make decisions about currently postponed investment and future growth.

“It also seems to raise the prospect on a ‘No Deal’ considerably, which will deeply worry many.”

Business leaders are fearing a No Deal Brexit will mean reverting to WTO rules and automatic tariffs on goods.

“A No Deal Brexit would be tremendously damaging for businesses in the region, and threaten the viability of many exporting firms – it is not a prospect that any political leader should consider,” he added.

“After two and a half years it is deeply frustrating that the prospect of a sensible agreement seems to be being threatened. Calm compromise and details of a realistic plan are needed urgently.”