A Dorset steel firm boss who hosted a visited by Boris Johnson during the EU Referendum has reacted to remarks by the politician.
Mr Johnson, now Foreign Secretary, is reported to have used a four-letter word to dismiss the concerns of business in a private conversation.
Simon Boyd, managing director of Christchurch-based John Reid & Sons Ltd (REIDsteel), said: “When Boris Johnson visited REIDsteel during the EU Referendum campaign I found him forthright, engaging and keenly interested in our business.
“If his recent comments were reported accurately, the suggestion is that he was referring to business lobby groups rather than entrepreneurs or individual businesses.
“Trade associations are not businesses. They are often disproportionately influenced by large companies and multi-nationals who would prefer to stay closely linked with the EU in their own vested interest rather than for the good of the UK.
“As a member of the CBI’s Manufacturing Council, I have been campaigning to convince the organisation of the necessity for a clean Brexit out of the single market, customs union and jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.
“SMEs are the backbone of business in this country and have suffered more than most from the harmful and burdensome regulations emanating from Brussels.
“Our company, in nearly a century of trading, has served the UK, European and worldwide markets so we have experience of both domestic and international trade.
“We and many other businesses have been working for decades to try and highlight just how damaging this membership of the EU has been, and still is.
“I believe politicians such as Boris Johnson are listening to us and recognise that a clean Brexit is absolutely critical to claim the prize that is there is to be won.
“Furthermore, Theresa May has also consistently stated that we will be leaving the single market, customs market and the ECJ; business trusts that she will hold true to her word as we reach a critical stage in the Brexit process.”