Boris Johnson slips up over 'absurd' EU rules on bananas

Boris Johnson has attacked "absurd" EU rules saying they prevent bananas being sold in bunches of "more than two or three" - yet EU directives specify they must be sold in bunches of at least four.

The prominent Vote Leave campaigner was speaking at a rally in Stafford town centre when he told supporters: "It is absurd that we are told you cannot sell bananas in bunches of more than two or three bananas."

But campaigners from Remain hit back, saying he is "making it up as he goes along".

Labour MP Chris Bryant, who backs the Remain camp, said:

Mr Bryant also pointed out that Mr Johnson had previously waved around a Cornish pasty as part of his campaign, despite it being "protected from knock offs by EU rules".

An EU directive on standards for bananas states: "The bananas must be presented in hands or clusters (parts of hands) of at least four fingers."

Michael Heseltine also criticised Johnson's comments, saying: "He's not standing up to the strain, his judgement seem to be going".