Hunt warns of ‘accidental no deal’

BRITAIN could leave the EU without a deal ‘by accident’ unless European leaders take the Chequers deal seriously, Jeremy hunt warned last night.

speaking ahead of visits to France and austria, the Foreign secretary warned the EU against rejecting Theresa May’s controversial compromise proposals out of hand.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier warned last week that Brussels ‘cannot and will not’ accept the customs arrangements that lie at the heart of Mrs May’s plan.

But in an attempt to appeal directly to EU

leaders, Mr Hunt suggested that rejecting the Chequers plan could lead to a no-deal exit, which would damage both sides.

Mr Hunt will hold Brexit talks in Paris today with French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, before travelling to Vienna tomorrow for talks with counterpart Karin Kneissl.

Mr Hunt said: ‘The UK and its European friends are striving to build a new relationship that works for all of us. We have taken a principled and pragmatic approach through the White Paper, and with our EU partners, we have made great strides towards that deep and special partnership.

‘But it is vital this momentum continues, and I will be explaining to my counterparts in Paris and Vienna that it is time for the EU to engage with our proposals, or we potentially face the prospect of a no- deal by accident, which would be very challenging for both the UK and EU.’