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The governments approach to leaving the European Union could fall apart like a chocolate orange, Amyas Morse said. Photograph: David Lee/Alamy

A Brexit minister has accused the head of the National Audit Office of using overdone language after he said that the governments approach to leaving the European Union could fall apart like a chocolate orange.

Steve Baker, an undersecretary in the Department for Exiting the EU, also urged opposition parties to back Thursdays Brexit bill in the national interest after Labour said it would vote against it.

Interviewed by Sky News, Baker was asked about unusually outspoken criticism by the auditor general, Amyas Morse, over the risk of a directionless approach to Brexit from the various Whitehall departments involved.

What we dont want to find is that at the first tap it falls apart like a chocolate orange. It needs to be coming through like a cricket ball, Morse told journalists.

That doesnt sound good, Baker conceded. But he added: I think it is overdone language. What Im seeing every day in the department is civil servants working extremely hard under strong political direction from ministers to deliver the plans that we need to make sure that our exit from the EU is smooth and orderly and successful in whatever circumstances we face.

Baker suggested that MPs who voted against the governments flagship repeal bill, would be punished by their constituents. If somebody wrecks this bill then they will leave the UK statute book in an unworkable condition, and they will have to explain to their electors why they have chosen to do that, he said.

He added: The bill which we are bringing forward today is a bill which deserves to have the support of people right across the political spectrum and right across the United Kingdom. We need to ensure that businesses and individuals have certainty, continuity and control as we leave the European Union and it is incumbent on everyone to look closely at this bill to work out ways to support it in the national interest.

Baker comments come as the EUs chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, is due to meet the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, as well as the Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and her Welsh counterpart, Carwyn Jones.

Asked about the meeting Baker said: This is a time to come together in the national interest.

Baker was also asked to explain the foreign secretary, Boris Johnsons remarks suggesting that the EU could go whistle on its extortionate bill for leaving the bloc. Baker used more diplomatic language. He said: We know that we have rights and obligations and we are testing the European Unions claims. But we wont pay a penny more then we need to. We are not going to put a figure on it today. It is matter for negotiation.

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'Chocolate orange' Brexit warning is overdone, says minister - The Guardian