Yahoo News Brussels tells Boris Johnson: Stop pretending to negotiate Brexit deal
European chiefs warned today that the risk of a potentially catastrophic no-deal UK exit from the EU was now “palpable” and stressed that “pretending” to negotiate had to stop to break the Brexit deadlock.
Within minutes of them raising the alarm over an EU crash-out, the pound dipped 0.4 per cent to $1.24.
The EU leaders also emphasised that if the Government wants to break further away from the EU than laid out under Theresa May's plans then that would hit the scale of the future trade deal that was likely to be struck.
European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker stressed that a new Brexit agreement was still possible but warned: “The risk of a no deal is palpable... there is very little time left.”
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Jean-Claude Juncker: Risk of a no-deal remains real
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier also voiced the frustration of EU leaders, saying: “Some three years after the Brexit referendum we should not be pretending to negotiate.”
As a No 10 source rejected his “pretending” claim, the historic Supreme Court hearing over Boris Johnson’s decision to close down Parliament at the height of the Brexit crisis entered its second day. In other developments:
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson slapped down Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel for “empty chairing” Mr Johnson at a press conference which pro-EU demonstrators were seeking to disrupt. “A lot of people looked at the Prime Minister in Luxembourg and just asked the simple question ‘is that the decent and courteous way to deal with a guest?’ Politeness and decency cost nothing.”
Jeremy Corbyn came under fire for promising a new referendum but refusing to say which side he would be on — despite shadow cabinet members like John McDonnell, Emily Thornberry and Tom Watson already saying they would back Remain. He said the choice would be between a “credible” Labour deal or staying in the EU.
Eurotunnel held a round of tests to prepare for a possible no-deal Brexit on October 31.
A new survey showed more than half of London businesses wanting to prepare for no deal had not been able to easily access the information needed.
After talks with Mr Johnson in Luxembourg on Monday, Mr Juncker told the European Parliament that he told the Prime Minister he had no “emotional attachment” to the Northern Ireland border backstop — at the heart of the Brexit impasse — but “stood by” its objectives, which include avoiding a hard border and protecting the single market.
He had urged Mr Johnson, who has committed to the UK leaving the EU “do or die” by October 31, to come forward with “operational proposals in writing for practical steps” to resolve the backstop row.
“Until such time as those proposals have been presented, I will not be able to tell you, looking you straight in the eye, that any real progress has been achieved,” he told MEPs.
The talks had been “friendly, constructive and in part positive”, and the technical discussions are now set to be stepped up at political level with meetings between Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay and commission chief negotiator Mr Barnier.
Mr Barnier said: “I advise everyone not to underestimate the consequences, clearly for the United Kingdom first of all but also for us, of the absence of a deal.”
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Michel Barnier: UK 'will have to face consequences' in event of no deal
A “legally operative solution” was needed for the backstop.
He also stressed that if the Government wants to abandon the “level playing field” economic arrangements with the EU on competition, the environment and social issues, then that would impact on the “level of ambition” of any future trade deal.
A No10 source rejected the “pretending” claim on the talks, adding: “We are not interested in posturing. We need serious negotiations to secure a deal which has the support of the British public and Parliament for when we leave on October 31. The presentation of any texts is absolutely part of any negotiation process.”
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Farage attacks 'pipsqueak' Luxembourg PM over Boris 'humiliation'
On the second day of the Supreme Court battle, lawyers for the Prime Minister argued this morning that a successful legal challenge to his decision to suspend Parliament would undermine a key principle of the UK constitution.
Sir James Eadie QC, representing
Mr Johnson, began his submissions by arguing that it would “not be constitutionally appropriate” for the courts to intervene in the prorogation of Parliament.
“The exercise of these particular powers is appropriate for political and not judicial resolution or control, based on the separation of powers which is a basic foundation of constitutional principle,” he said.
“We are dealing with a prerogative power. It’s a prerogative power which has been expressly reserved for Parliament.
“The exercise of the power and the sphere within which it operates is subject to specific legislative control, in a particular context otherwise not controlled or regulated by legislation.”
Sir James argued that there “are no judicial or manageable standards to test the lawfulness of a decision involving political or high policy”.
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Read more Farage attacks 'pipsqueak' Luxembourg PM over Boris 'humiliation'
