BOLTON North East MP Sir David Crausby has described a no deal Brexit as “mutually assured destruction”.

During Prime Minister’s Questions on Tuesday afternoon, Sir David said to Theresa May: “As a former shop steward, I completely understand the need to approach the cliff edge in order to secure a deal but rational negotiators never hold hands, go to the edge and jump into the abyss.

“So when will the Prime Minister recognise that constructive discussions should take place without the nuclear option of mutually assured destruction?”

Answering Sir David’s question, Theresa May said: “Constructive discussions are taking place. This House was clear in what it wanted to see changed in relation to the Withdrawal Agreement on the deal we have brought back from the European Union.

“We are making progress and having exactly the constructive discussions he’s talking about.”

Sir David later clarified his stance, and tweeted: “A no deal exit would be the worst outcome for both sides. Mutually assured destruction does nothing to help us take the discussions forward.”