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EU verdict on May’s Brexit deal
FEARS of a no-deal Brexit grew last night after EU negotiator Michel Barnier rejected Theresa May’s White Paper.
It came amid claims that Government preparations for a no-deal scenario include turning the M26 in Kent into a 10-mile lorry park.
The PM’s Chequers Brexit plan is the “only credible and realistic way to move the negotiations forward”, according to Downing Street.
But Mr Barnier rejected it hours after Mrs May asked him to be “flexible”. He said the UK could not be in the single market for goods but not services and dismissed her customs plan as illegal under EU law.
A proposal that the UK and EU collect tariffs on goods on behalf of each other would create “a major risk of fraud”, he claimed. But he confirmed only 20% of the overall deal still requires agreement, including the Irish border.
He claimed he was “open to any solutions as long as they are workable and can be prepared in time”.
There are just 13 weeks left to reach agreement if the deal is to be ratified by the 27 remaining member states in time for Brexit day on March 29.
Claims emerged last night that part of the Government’s no-deal contingency plan was to turn the M26 into a lorry park to cope with tailbacks from the port of Dover.
It is also claimed the Government might need to call in the RAF to transport food and medicines around the country.
Former Cabinet minister, Remainer Nicky Morgan, wrote to Chancellor Philip Hammond calling on the Gov- ernment to publish the latest information on the consequences of a no-deal. She wrote: “If no-deal could lead to empty supermarket shelves and medicine shortages, the public has a right to know.” Labour’s Owen Smith, a supporter of the People’s Vote campaign, said: “Barnier was polite but he was direct. Mrs May’s White Paper split her Cabinet, divided Parliament and has satisfied no- body in Britain. It is now clear that Brussels isn’t buying it either.”
The Home Office is preparing to take applications from EU migrants wishing to stay in the UK after Brexit.
Up to 4,000 people wanting “settled status” will take part in a pilot scheme which is being launched in the North West on August 28.
The “live trial” will allow officials to test the system on real applicants and iron out problems before a phased roll-out near the end of the year.
If no-deal could lead to medicine shortages, the public has to know NICKY MORGAN LETTER BY EX-CABINET MINISTER