Britain must seek bespoke multi-lateral and bilateral trade arrangements after it exits the EU, rather than fall back on World Trade Organisation rules. That's the word from the UK's International Trade Secretary Liam Fox. He says he is optimistic that Britain will become the champion of free trade.

"However, where progress has stalled at the multi-lateral level, the UK must be ready to look to more bespoke plurilateral and bilateral arrangements to ensure that the global market place remains fair and free. My message today is a simple one: free trade has and will continue to transform the world for the better. The UK has a golden opportunity to forge a new role for ourselves in the world, one which puts the British people first. Protectionism never actually helps anybody at all and as we move into a post-Brexit arena we want it to be as free and as open as possible," said Fox.