Yahoo News Mark Francois mocked for claiming Britain would 'explode' on Oct 31 if UK asked for Brexit extension
A leading Brexiteer has been mocked on Twitter after his prediction that Britain would “explode” on Halloween if Britain did not exit the EU.
Tory MP Mark Francois, the deputy chairman of the Brexit-supporting European Research Group (ERG), warned last month of dire consequences if Boris Johnson did not fulfil his “do or die” pledge to leave the EU on October 31.
He told Politics Live: "As a principle you should comply with the law, but as I understand it people are looking extremely careful at the act to see what it does or does not mandate you to do…
"I think if we don't leave on 31st of October, this country will explode."
Now that the extension has been granted and the date has arrived, Twitter has widely mocked Mr Francois for his previous comments:
Scenes of pure unbridled rage and utter carnage on the streets of Mark Francois constituency today #BritainHasExploded pic.twitter.com/lCPd3ykKa9
— Charlie Hills (@bodegaoflove_) October 31, 2019
Oh sweet Jesus, it’s happening #Britainhasexploded pic.twitter.com/lq4yWnWSrp
— Richard May (@Richiemay) October 31, 2019
In a scene of PURE, UNBRIDLED RAGE that is playing out in towns and cities all over the country today, rabid protestors have disguised themselves as an unbothered, totally typical high street. #BritainHasExploded pic.twitter.com/ujn76TdtS3
— Dai Lama (@WelshDalaiLama) October 31, 2019
There are people literally getting in the sea near Liverpool. #BritainHasExploded pic.twitter.com/V4vrMwtbNN
— Howie Gosling (@Howgozza) October 31, 2019
I awoke to discover a fork in the knife section... absolute scenes here!#BritainHasExploded pic.twitter.com/aa36uEDNlZ
— DevonDad (@Hutch_and_Sons) October 31, 2019
Too afraid to leave the house this morning. Absolute anarchy #BritainHasExploded pic.twitter.com/qhqDokxS3t
— Pete Llewelyn (@PeteLlewelyn) October 31, 2019
Mr Francois has since backtracked on his comments, telling talkRADIO that he was happy a deal had been struck.
Speaking before MPs voted to have a December General Election, Mr Francois said: "I believe the Prime Minister genuinely wants to get this deal ratified through parliament so we can leave at Halloween.
“I don't think for one moment he put this programme motion in to get it knocked down to call an election, he's done well to negotiate a deal, it's different in varying important ways to Theresa May's deal.
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“In a nutshell we really do leave the European Union if we pass it".
MPs ended up rejecting the programme motion and an extension until the end of January 2020 was put in place, while Mr Johnson today blamed Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for Brexit not happening on Halloween.
"Today should have been the day that Brexit was delivered and we finally left the EU.
"But, despite the great new deal I agreed with the EU, Jeremy Corbyn refused to allow that to happen - insisting upon more dither, more delay and more uncertainty for families and business.
"We cannot continue along this path. I didn't want an election - like the country I wanted to get Brexit done, but it is the only way forward.”
