Dutch minister poses with Brexit ‘monster’ to urge firms to get ready | World News

By Alan McGuinness, political reporter

The Dutch government has come up with a novel – and eye-catching – way of warning its businesses about the impact of Brexit.

A big, blue Honey Monster-like creation has been launched with the warning: “Don’t let Brexit get in your way.”

An image of the mascot was posted on Foreign Minister Stef Blok’s Twitter account.

The furry creation is sprawled across his desk, with Mr Blok’s appearing confused and exasperated by its presence.

Although light-hearted, the overall message behind the campaign is a serious one.

It calls on Dutch firms that do business with the UK to check how Brexit could affect them, in areas like imports, exports, transport, staffing and intellectual property.

The Netherlands is one of the UK’s closest allies, but Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said this week that Britain is a “diminished” nation as a result of its vote for Brexit.

He also told the Financial Times that his country is already benefiting from businesses relocating from the UK to the Netherlands.