LABOUR and trade unions have warned that the vision of Brexit outlined in a speech by Boris Johnson today would result in workers’ rights being scrapped.

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the speech had revealed the government’s intention to “casually cast aside” rights and protections when Britain leaves the European Union

He warned that the Foreign Secretary’s approach would “further divide the country” and put jobs and living standards at risk.

Mr Johnson said it would be “mad” for Britain to accept a deal with the EU that would leave this country unable to enjoy the “economic freedoms” of leaving but instead still “lashed to the minute prescriptions” of a bloc comprising just 6 per cent of the world’s population.

In response, Mr Starmer said: “Nobody will be fooled or reassured by the Foreign Secretary’s empty rhetoric.

“His insistence on deregulating our economy is the opposite of what businesses and trade unions want to hear.”

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady also attacked Mr Johnson, warning: “When he says ‘regulatory divergence,’ he means scrapping hard-won rights to paid holidays, equal pay and safety at work. And if that’s his vision, he’s never going to unite the nation behind it.”