BORIS JOHNSON has been accused of "making it up as he goes along" after claiming the EU prevents bananas being sold in bunches of more than three.
The prominent Vote Leave campaigner urged supporters in Stafford to help Britain get rid of "pointless regulations" by backing Brexit at next month's referendum.
He added there are "absurd" EU rules governing vacuum cleaners, hairdryers and bananas - including the number of bananas in a bunch.
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But Remain hit back by suggesting the Tory MP "doesn't give a monkey's" about British families and claimed sticking to the facts is "proving a real banana skin".
Mr Johnson's team later said it was a misspeak by the former London mayor, adding he meant to say the EU dictates that bananas must be presented in clusters of at least four.
Delivering a rallying speech in Stafford town centre as the Vote Leave battle bus continued its Midlands tour, Mr Johnson said: "This gentleman here mentions bananas.
"It is absurd that we are told you cannot sell bananas in bunches of more than two or three bananas.
"You cannot sell bananas with abnormal curvature of the fingers.
"Why should they tell us?
"Why should they tell us how powerful our vacuum cleaners should be?
"Why should they tell us how powerful our hairdryers should be?
"This is not a matter for an international, supranational body to dictate to the British people."
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Senior Labour MP Chris Bryant, a Britain Stronger In Europe backer, said: "Sticking to facts is proving a real banana skin for Boris on his blunder bus tour."
Mr Bryant said Mr Johnson had previously brandished a Cornish pasty despite it being "protected from knock offs by EU rules" and visited a bottling plant supported by EU cash.
He added: "Now he's resorted to just making it up as he goes along.
"Boris doesn't give a monkey's about British families.
"Membership of Europe supports a stronger British economy, with more jobs and lower prices."
An EU directive from 2011 on marketing standards for bananas states: "The bananas must be presented in hands or clusters (parts of hands) of at least four fingers.
"Bananas may also be presented as single fingers.
"Clusters with not more than two missing fingers are allowed, provided that the stalk is not torn but cleanly cut, without damage to the neighbouring fingers.
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"Not more than one cluster of three fingers with the same characteristics as the other fruit in the package may be present per row.
"In the producing regions, bananas may be marketed by the stem."
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