A WORCESTERSHIRE politician has attacked one of Germany's most senior politicians over Brexit - telling him to "keep his nose out of UK affairs".

Bill Etheridge has launched an astonishing broadside at one of Berlin's best known public figures after he appeared to threaten Britain over quitting the EU.

German vice-chancellor and economy minister Sigmar Gabriel, a close confidante of Chancellor Angela Merkel, said the UK could not keep the "nice things" about Europe while "taking no responsibility" over the rest.

He also said he was worried the EU would go "down the drain" if other states followed Britain's lead, suggesting Britain would need to be made an example of during the difficult negotiations ahead.

Mr Etheridge, who represents the entire West Midlands region in the European Parliament, has accused him of making "desperate statements".

He said: "It is high time for Brexit to be at the top of the agenda - Gabriel is clearly terrified of the thought of a Britain outside of the EU.

"His desperate statements and threats will not deter the UK from becoming a proud, sovereign nation once again."

Mr Etheridge, who is vying to become UKIP's new leader, also urged Prime Minister Theresa May to step up the gas over exiting the EU.

"The Government should stop dilly dallying and pull its finger out," he said.

"It is time for Britain to be a sovereign, free and democratic nation away from the tentacles of the interfering EU.

"We would be free to make our own laws in Westminster and we'd be able to negotiate our own free trade agreements with the world and be a true global player."

Mrs May started to draw up the blueprints for Brexit today after hosting Cabinet-level ministers at Chequers, the Prime Minister's country retreat in Buckinghamshire.

The Cabinet members were told to break away from their summer recess to attend, and offer up coherent visions for how Brexit negotiations will work across each department.

In comments made at the start of the meeting whilst the cameras were allowed in, Mrs May said the Government was clear that "Brexit means Brexit".

"We'll be looking at the next steps we need to take, and we will also be looking at the opportunities that are now open to us as we forge a new role for the UK in the world," she said.

Among those in attendance were Worcestershire's Sajid Javid, who is the current local government secretary.