UK trade minister slams talk of Brexit punishment by EU

LONDON (AP) — One of the British government's biggest Brexit cheerleaders has slammed warnings of an "economic black hole" when the country leaves the European Union and equated any talk of punishing the country to "the language of a gang."

A day after the EU published draft guidelines for its trade talks with Britain, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox told business leaders Thursday that Brexit can work for Britain and the EU if the discussions are focused on economic matters rather than politics.

He said that talk of hurting Britain for its Brexit decision would be counter-productive for all sides.