Priti Patel skewers Keir Starmer over 'utter rubbish' EU reset deal exposing major problem

Keir Starmer "just wants to constantly betray Britain" and the historic Brexit vote, Dame Priti Patel has declared.

The shadow foreign secretary dismissed the Prime Minister's "nonsense" comments about Britain's stature on the world stage.

Dame Priti pointed to support for Ukraine, crucial to stopping the Russian advances on Kyiv, and "over 70 trade agreements" since Britain's decision to quit the bloc.

Critics have warned Sir Keir had been "stitched up like a kipper" by Europe as his "sell-out" for smoother trade will crush the UK fishing industry, drive up immigration and cost taxpayers millions.

And he claimed "Britain is back on the world stage" as he held a joint press conference with a beaming European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen at London's Lancaster House.

But Dame Priti blasted: "What a load of nonsense, quite frankly.

"That is utter rubbish from Keir Starmer and not for the first time, quite frankly.

"It is Britain that led international efforts when it came to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, so he needs to go away and do some homework.

"Of course, it was Conservatives in Government that led the way when it came to Britain post-Brexit securing those trade deals, over 70 trade agreements during our tenure in Government.

"We're not going to listen to that nonsense from Keir Starmer who just wants to constantly betray Britain, the democratic vote of the British people when it came to the Brexit referendum.

"I think he needs to go back and recalibrate his very smug comments."

Dame Priti also warned British holidaymakers could still face lengthy queues when they arrive in European airports.

She told GB News: "Where's the economic impact assessment? The stuff on border and passport queues is just nonsense.

"I don't think your viewers are totally aware that the EU have a digital system coming in anyway called the EU entry and exit system which is basically their equivalent of the digital border system we have put in place in the UK.

"And yet the Government and Starmer claim this is some great win. By the way, when this comes in October, it will lead to queues because we will have to provide our biometrics and lots of personal data. It's wrong and misleading."

Under the deal EU fishing boats will be guaranteed access to UK waters on the current terms for 12 years, after a French ambush demanding longer guarantees than the four years Sir Keir originally offered.

Ministers have announced a £360million fund to help appease furious coastal communities.

There will be no change to current access to fish for coastal communities and no reduction in the British quota or increase in the quota the EU is allowed to catch.

Under the terms of Boris Johnson's 2020 Brexit deal, the EU gave up 25% of its fishing quotas - phased up to 2026.

From next year there were due to be annual negotiations, which the UK fishing industry hoped would provide leverage to restore its hold.

However, quotas will now be frozen until at least 2038.

Sir Keir also signed the UK up to a "youth experience" arrangement giving potentially 80 million Europeans rights to live, study and work here.

Sir Keir stressed it would be "capped and time limited", arguing the Government's crackdown on immigration will not be compromised.

In return, the deal would see checks on lorries taking food to the continent lifted permanently - ending the so-called "sausage wars".

That is supposed to boost the economy by £9billion by 2040.

However, the UK will have to accept "dynamic alignment" with Brussels rules in the sector. The details also reveal that Britain will need to make 'an appropriate financial contribution' to the EU's Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) systems.

The same goes for moves to link the EU and UK carbon trading markets, with officials refusing to estimate how much will have to be paid in.

Defence firms will get access to a £126 billion EU-wide weapons fund, although British taxpayers again face having to pay millions for the privilege.

British tourists could be spared queues when travelling to the continent, with permission to use e-gates at European airports and red tape on taking pets eased.