UK must decide what it wants, says Merkel ally

Brussels Correspondent

IT IS impossible for the EU to tell whether the Government or Parliament speaks for Britain on Brexit, one of Angela Merkel’s closest allies said yesterday.

Peter Altmaier, the German economics minister, said it was high time Britain decided what it wanted.

“What we need is clarity and we need it quickly,” Mr Altmaier told German radio. “At the moment, the hardest thing is that we don’t know who actually speaks for the UK. Is it the Government or is it the elected Parliament?”

He warned that the EU’S patience was running out after the Commons again failed to vote on the Brexit deal struck by Boris Johnson. “Some are calling for new elections, others for a second referendum, others for a socalled confirmatory referendum on the deal,” he said. “I believe that the EU is entitled to ask that this great and important country says for once what is its preferred option.”

Mr Altmaier, a Merkel loyalist, indicated that her government would not oppose a further delay if it avoided a no-deal Brexit. Mr Johnson wrote to Donald Tusk, the European Council president, on Saturday requesting a delay to Article 50. The EU27 is understood to be waiting to see what happens in Westminster before deciding on calling another summit to consider an extension.

On the question of an extension, Mr Altmaier said: “If the British opt for one of the longer-term options – that is, new elections or a referendum – it goes without saying that the EU should agree.”