Former Brexit Party MEP and director of the Academy of Ideas, Claire Fox, exposed the biggest threat facing the EU. During an interview with Express.co.uk, Ms Fox claimed the EU would be worried about the UK thriving outside the bloc after Brexit as it could jeopardise the integrity of the union. She said other nations will look at the UK and wonder whether they should leave the EU as they will be able to see Britain reclaim its sovereignty.

Ms Fox said: "If the UK does not face a catastrophic collapse economically because of Brexit.

"If we show that we can survive, that then removes one of the threats the EU makes to any Eurosceptic member states threatening to leave the European Union.

"The EU wants to be able to say well at Britain, what a terrible experience that was for them.

"Whereas if the experience in Britain wasn't a terrible one, then you have a situation where you have contagion."

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Ms Fox expanded to explain why the idea of sovereignty was important to Britain and how other member states would look at the UK.

She continued: "Maybe contagion is too strong a word but it would give people the impression that actually, asserting your sovereignty and a way of saying that the accountability of all political decision is made domestically.

"It would also show that a country is entitled to make decisions about its economy, political decisions and everything else.

"They should be able to do this without referring to some top-down bureaucratic body and its rules."

Ms Fox outlined what impact a successful Brexit would have on other member states in the future.

She said: "Other countries might simply decide to do the same.

"The EU must fear that if Brexit happens that other countries will look around and say maybe we should leave the EU too."

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Ms Fox also warned the EU could see more divisions form in the European Union as the bloc attempts to recover from coronavirus.

She explained that some member states, like Italy, will question the amount of help they received from the European Union during the crisis.

In addition to this, tensions may arise between the rich and poorer states as economies attempt to restart.

Ms Fox predicted that some wealthier countries may resent having to give more money to nations more heavily impacted by the virus.

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EU crisis: Brexit risks bloc's 'economic threat' crumbling - 'We should leave too!' - Express.co.uk