What happened
Former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said on September 13 that the British economy has "fallen off a cliff" since the country left the European Union.
In an interview with The Independent, Osborne described Brexit as "a mess" and said it has dealt a huge blow to the UK economy.
He said rejoining the EU customs union would be the fastest route to reviving the UK economy and restoring trade ties with Europe.
Why it matters
The remarks come from a former top UK finance official, giving them weight in the ongoing debate over Brexit's economic legacy.
Osborne's call to rejoin the customs union points to a possible direction for UK trade policy, though it remains a politically contentious proposal.
Key facts
George Osborne is a former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Osborne said the UK economy has "fallen off a cliff" since Brexit.
He made the comments in an interview with The Independent.
He called Brexit "a mess" and said it hit the UK economy hard.
He said rejoining the EU customs union would be the fastest way to boost UK economic recovery and restore trade links with Europe.
What to watch next
Whether Osborne's comments gain traction among UK policymakers and revive discussion of customs union membership.
How the UK government responds to renewed calls for closer trade alignment with the EU.