Wetherspoon boss rebuked over Brexit comments

Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin, one of corporate Britain’s most outspoken supporters of the UK’s exit from the EU, earned a rebuke from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) after telling the organisation’s head to “put a sock in it” over Brexit negotiations.

The business lobby group hit out over comments by the 62-year-old pub company founder, who said that “gloomsters” such as CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn shouldn’t interfere with the UK government’s negotiations.

“Rather than slinging mud, Mr Martin should know that all the major UK business groups have made clear the risks to the economy of leaving the EU without a deal,” a CBI spokesperson said.