UK must forge 'closest possible' relationship with EU, says OECD

Thinktank says even 'soft' Brexit will harm UK as strong global growth reaches peak

Britain needs to forge a deal with the European Union that brings the closest possible relationship or risk an economic downturn, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has warned in its latest health check on the global economy.

The thinktank, which advises 34 of the world's richest countries, appeared to support Theresa May's deal with the EU, or an even closer alternative, as the best way to avoid harming the UK economy and placing extra strain on global growth.