Brexit minister Steve Baker apologises for saying Treasury officials 'skewed' economy analysis

Mr Baker admitted he should have dismissed the allegation — that Treasury officials were drawing up skewed economic studies to make the case for staying in a customs union with the EU — out of hand when it was raised by fellow Right-winger Jacob Rees-Mogg in the chamber yesterday.

Standing up on a point of order, Mr Baker told MPs: “I wish to correct the record of my answer yesterday.” He said he had listened to an audio tape that undermined the account he and Mr Rees-Mogg had given — which was that the allegation had been made to them by the head of the Centre for European Reform think tank, Charles Grant.

“Yesterday I answered a question based on my honest recollection of conversation. As I explained yesterday, I considered what I understood the suggestion being put to me as implausible because of the longstanding and well regarded impartiality of the civil service.

“The audio of that conversation is now available and I’m glad the record stands corrected. In the context of that audio, I accept I should have corrected or dismissed the premise of my honourable friend’s question. I have apologised to Mr Charles Grant, who is an honest and trustworthy man.”