UK should not pay large fees to remain in single market, says Johnson
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Britain should not pay punitive amounts to stay in the single market after it left the European Union.
Johnson was responding to suggestions in the past week that the UK could retain tariff-free access for a fee.
He told the BBC that no decisions had been taken, adding that the subject was "pure speculation". However, he did concede that if such a system was introduced any payments would have to be "sensible".
"I have given you an indication of the kind of payments that I think might be sensible," he said.
"My own view is that I see no reason why those payments should be large. And I do see a big opportunity for us to spend the money we are getting back on other priorities."
The UK voted to leave the EU in a referendum last June. Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will trigger the formal process to leave, known as Article 50, by the end of March.