Britain staying in customs union is 'best thing' that could happen to EU, says Guy Verhofstadt

Britain staying in a customs union after Brexit would be the “best thing that could happen” to the European Union, Guy Verhofstadt said, as EU sources warned Brussels would dictate trade policy under such an agreement. The UK could leave the EU by May 22, and avoid a Brexit extension of up to two years and the need to hold European elections, if MPs built a cross-party majority behind a customs union, Mr Verhofstadt said. A customs union would help solve the vexed issue of the Irish border but it will prevent Britain from pursuing an independent trade policy, the European Parliament's Brexit coordinator said