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Listen: Patrick Vallance slams Brexit

(Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Another day, another drama. This time Sir Patrick Vallance is in the limelight, after attacking Brexit on the BBC. The new science minister – and former scientific adviser to the government – has given a rather curious interview this afternoon in which he has slammed the decision to leave the EU and refuses to rule out free movement. Golly.

Speaking to the Beeb today, the new peer started by telling his interviewer he was ‘surprised’ but ‘honoured’ to be asked to be the science minister by Sir Keir Starmer. The conversation then took a rather, um, bizarre turn.

Turning to the ‘problem’ of Brexit, Vallance said that visa rules should be eased for researchers, and added that UK needs to be part of an ‘international’ science community. Sarah Montague quizzed the new minister on the upcoming G7 science meeting in Bologna. ‘How do you think that the United Kingdom is faring relative to other countries?’ she asked.

PV: Well we’re really good at science but we need to be part of an international science community.

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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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