UK CAN STILL DO A EU TURN
Euro chiefs leave the door open
EUROPEAN Union chiefs have urged Britain to abandon Brexit and insist the “door is still open”.
Donald Tusk, President of the EU Council and Jean-Claude Juncker yesterday called for a U-turn.
Mr Tusk tweeted: “Unless there is a change of heart among our British friends, #Brexit will become a reality – with all its negative consequences.
“We, here on the continent, haven’t had a change of heart. Our hearts are still open for you.”
European Commission President Mr Juncker said he hoped No10 heard the message “our door remains open”.
It came as draft negotiation guidelines, leaked last night, showed EU leaders want permanent residency for migrants arriving in Britain up to 2020. No10 refused to comment.
Of Mr Tusk’s remarks, a spokesman said: “The public voted to leave the EU and that is what we will be doing.”
But pro-Remain MPs will try to scupper the EU Withdrawal Bill as it returns to the Commons for its final report stage and votes. It is expected to be voted through this week, but Tory grandee Ken Clarke warned of a tougher passage through the Lords.
And he criticised the Bill’s “Henry VIII clauses”, created to allow reform with little parliamentary scrutiny.
He told the Commons: “The idea that the Bill with all these Henry VIII clauses is going to have an untroubled passage through the House of Lords is an illusion.” Pro-EU rebels are expected to lay down amendments, with one to force Government to reveal if legal advice given last year told them Article 50 was reversible.
It had cross-party support from at least 20 MPs ahead of a vote today. No10 said it is a “long-standing practice not to comment on legal advice”.