PM ‘poised for U-turn’ over Brexit divorce bill
THERESA May is on the verge of making concessions to Brussels over the ‘divorce bill’ in a bid to unlock Brexit talks, a confidant of Angela Merkel said last night.
Manfred Weber, a senior MEP who is a close ally of the German Chancellor, suggested the Prime Minister was on the brink of a significant U-turn after a private meeting in Downing Street.
He said Mrs May hinted she was preparing to ‘reach out’ to Brussels and that a breakthrough could be possible.
His positive message comes amid an impasse in negotiations, which the EU has blamed on the UK for refusing to guarantee it will pay an estimated £53billion Brexit divorce bill.
It will raise expectations that Mrs May is preparing to meet the demand after being handed an ultimatum to make concessions by Brussels last week.
EU chiefs have warned the UK that failure to act will mean EU leaders have no choice but to block progress when they decide whether or not to approve trade talks at a meeting next month.
During yesterday’s meeting, Mr Weber insisted the only way for talks to progress is for the UK to make a written commitment to meet some of the debt.
‘After today’s discussion, I recognise that Prime Minister May is prepared to reach out further to Europe so that progress is made by December,’ he said.
Mr Weber, who leads the European Parliament’s most powerful political group, indicated the Prime Minister had also shown a ‘willingness for compromise’.
He insisted a breakthrough was now ‘possible’ at the European Council summit next month because ‘the will exists’.
Mr Weber said it was only ‘fair’ that the UK meets its share of liabilities, including long-term spending projects and eurocrat pensions.
Mr Weber also met senior ministers i ncluding Brexit Secretary David Davis and Home Secretary Amber Rudd.
British negotiators have insisted they are not prepared to indicate how much the UK will pay until the end of discussions, believing that the amount
‘Willingness for compromise’
should be linked to the EU’s trade deal offer.
But Mr Weber insisted Brussels does not expect Mrs May to provide a figure but to put into writing commitments made in her Florence Brexit speech.
Outlining the requirement, Mr Weber said: ‘For the so- called “sufficient progress” question for the December Council the most important thing is not the figure, but to clarify the areas where Great Britain has to see its commitments.’
The hospitable language is in stark contrast to statements made by the German politician on Tuesday, when he said that talks were unlikely to progress.
As European People’s Party chairman, Mr Weber shares close links to European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, who are members of the group.
His hint at compromise will be cheered in London as Mr Weber is recognised as one of the fiercest critics of Brexit who takes a hardline approach on numerous issues related to talks.
During the Downing Street meeting, Mr Weber repeated calls for the UK to meet hard- line demands on the rights of EU citizens remaining in the UK and to give more detail on the Northern Irish border.
While the European Parliament does not have a role at the negotiating table, MEPs are kept updated on talks and will be given a vote on whether to pass any final deal.
In a bid to ease relations with the body, the Prime Minister had been expected to hold a crunch meeting with leading MEPs next week.
She is likely to meet European Parliament political group leaders in Brussels at a closeddoor meeting next Friday. But despite previously accusing the Prime Minister of turning down an invitation to address the chamber, officials yesterday indicated they have requested another time for the meeting.