The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
EU states advised to prepare for no deal
Brussels officials say cliffedge withdrawal cannot be ruled out
The European Commission has issued a warning to governments, businesses and citizens in the 27 remaining EU states to prepare for “significant disruption” as a result of Brexit.
Brussels officials said a no-deal cliff-edge withdrawal in March 2019 cannot be ruled out, and warned that “preparation must therefore be stepped up immediately at all levels and taking into account all possible outcomes”.
It comes after the government announced it will produce around 70 “technical notices” over the coming weeks, setting out necessary preparations in the UK for a possible EU exit without agreement.
And top Whitehall mandarins warned MPs of “horrendous consequences” if a cliff-edge withdrawal was accompanied by “spiteful or ignorant” behaviour on either side.
The chief executive of the civil service, John Manzoni, told the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee: “We will be ready for a no-d eal Brexit. “Not everything will be perfect.” But he warned: “We have to prepare in the event that there are either spiteful or ignorant or whatever activities by third parties.
“That obviously makes it very uncomfortable and some horrendous consequences, and that’s what we have got to try and do our best to mitigate against.”
Customs chiefs told Parliament that introducing Prime Minister Theresa May’s favoured Facilitated Customs Arrangements at borders and ports could alone add extra costs of £700 million a year on business.
Jim Harra, of HM Customs and Excise, told the House of Lords EU External Affairs Committee that the additional cost would arise because traders would have to work out which of two different tariff rates they need to pay on each cross-border movement.
Mrs May was making her first visit to the Irish border since the referendum, amid growing signs of unrest on the Conservative backbenches over her Chequers plans for post-Brexit relations with the EU.
Shipley MP Philip Davies became the third Tory to declare publicly that he has submitted a letter of no confidence in her leadership, saying he had lost trust in her ability to deliver Brexit.
The European Commission released its report as Dominic Raab made his first visit to Brussels as Brexit secretary for talks with chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier.
Flanked by Mr Raab, Mr Barnier said “we have a lot of work to do” in the 13 weeks until the October European Council meeting, including finalising the withdrawal agreement, adding: “It is a matter of urgency to agree a legally operative backstop for Ireland and Northern Ireland. We need an allweather insurance policy.”
Mr Raab said he was looking forward to discussing the government’s white paper and getting stuck in “with renewed energy, vigour and vim”.
He said: “As Michel has told us, the clock is ticking so I’m looking forward to intensifying, heating up the negotiations and making sure we are in the best position to get the best deal.”
The commission insisted its advice to undertake contingency planning for the worst possible scenario was not “a sign of mistrust in the negotiations”, which are supposed to deliver a withdrawal agreement and a political declaration on future relations by October.
“The commission is devoting very significant resources and committing great efforts to achieve an agreement,” it said.
“This remains our goal. However, the outcome of negotiations cannot be predicted.”
We have to prepare in the event that there are either spiteful or ignorant or whatever activities by third parties. JOHN MANZONI