No deal Brexit closer as UK rejects EU demands
BRITAIN could walk away from postBrexit trade talks today after EU leaders demanded they continue beyond Boris Johnson’s deadline.
They instead ordered the Prime Minister “to make the necessary moves” to agree a deal and insisted that negotiations would continue.
Britain’s chief negotiator Lord Frost said he was “disappointed” and “surprised” the bloc is not committed to working intensively to reach a future partnership.
He added: “I’m also surprised by the suggestion that to get an agreement all future moves must come from the UK. It’s an unusual approach
to conducting a negotiation.” Lord Frost said Mr Johnson will deliver his reaction to the EU summit’s conclusions today, having previously set the Brussels gathering as a deadline for agreeing a deal.
The PM has also indicated that the UK would walk away from talks if a deal can no longer be agreed.
European Council president Charles Michel said:“We are 100 per cent united and we fully trust and support our negotiator and call on the UK to make the necessary moves.
“We are determined to reach a fair deal with the UK but not at any price. We’re on the verge of finalising agreement on some points... and three subject areas where the gap is too big.
“A lot of work needs to be done. I will be talking to David Frost tomorrow and we will be in London next week.”
In Brussels, EU leaders including Germany’s Angela Merkel said they were concerned progress was “still not sufficient for an agreement”.
But they agreed to “step up their work on preparedness and readiness at all levels and for all outcomes” before the Brexit transition period ends on December 31.
Both sides are demanding compromise on fishing and state subsidies for business. The dramatic developments came after Emmanuel Macron convinced the bloc to significantly harden its demands for continued access to Britain’s fishing grounds.
Ahead of the crunch summit, the French president insisted the UK would have to sign up to his “conditions” or prepare for a nodeal Brexit. He fumed: “If conditions aren’t met it’s possible we don’t have an agreement. We are ready for that.
“We are finalising measures to take in all sectors and if there are no good terms found at the end of the discussion we are ready for a no deal.”
But Ireland’s foreign minister Simon Coveney said he believed a trade deal can be concluded in the coming weeks despite the fact that the two sides are still “miles apart” on the crucial issue of fishing rights.
“I hope that by the start of November we will be in the space of a deal in sight,” he said.