MICHAEL Gove has urged the UK Government to deliver a "full Brexit" by ensuring the UK quits the European single market and customs union.

The former Conservative Justice Secretary and prominent Brexiter suggested anything less would amount to a "fake Brexit".

The Scot was one of the Leave campaign's leading voices during the run-up to the EU referendum and he said the UK would be "trapped" if it remained in the single market and customs union.

Writing for the BrexitCentral website, he said: "We need to deliver a full Brexit, not settle for fake Brexit.

"Once Article 50 is triggered, we should be very clear about our simple, straightforward, generous approach to leaving.

"We don't want or need to be in the single market; outside we can control our own borders, laws and taxes. Inside we're trapped.

"We don't want to be bound by being members of the customs union. Outside we can negotiate new trade deals with emerging economies. Inside we're trapped.

"And we don't need to waste months talking about new tariffs. We don't have any at the moment with Europe, we don't want to impose any and attempts to over-complicate the issue are a trap."

Meantime, the Surrey MP also outlined his belief that the UK Government could secure a quick and "amicable" Brexit deal.

"If we guarantee the rights of all EU citizens currently here to stay, pledge to continue our role as the principal European defender of Nato's eastern border, offer to continue co-operation on science funding and agree to respect EU regulations when selling to their market, then we could - quickly - reach an amicable agreement."

Speculation over whether the UK will remain in the European single market and customs union post-Brexit has dominated political discussion since the nation voted to leave the EU.

Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday her government was "working to get the best possible deal" for the UK on the issue of trade.