Brexit has left UK ‘worst shopping destination in Europe’, business chief tells Rishi Sunak

Tory leader rebuked as he tried to repair party’s reputation with business leaders

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during the Business Connect event in North London (Daniel Leal/PA) (PA Wire)

Post-Brexit changes to VAT shopping rules are a “spectacular own goal” for the UK, a business chief has told Rishi Sunak.

Gerry Murphy, chief executive of fashion brand Burberry, said the new rulebook would leave Britain the “least attractive shopping destination in Europe”.

The rebuke to Mr Sunak came as the prime minister gathered 200 high-profile chief executives at a Business Connect conference in London to try and convince them the government has “got your back”.