No-deal Brexit ‘the assumption’
● War cabinet tasked with securing EU withdrawal ‘by any means necessary’
The government is “operating on the assumption” that Britain will leave the EU without a deal on October 31, Michael Gove has said.
The new Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is in charge of no-deal preparations in the Cabinet Office, said there was a “very real prospect” that an agreement would not be struck with Brussels before the Halloween deadline.
It came as the government signalled it was “turbocharging” its no-deal preparations and would not take part in meaningful Brexit talks with the EU unless the Irish border backstop is removed from the Withdrawal Agreement.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is reported to have put together a Brexit “war cabinet” of six key ministers, tasked with delivering EU withdrawal on October 31 “by any means necessary”.
And Chancellor Sajid Javid said there would be “significant extra funding” this week to get Britain “fully ready to leave” by the October deadline, with or without a deal.
The additional spending will include financing one of the country’s “biggest ever public information campaigns” to ensure individuals and businesses are ready for a no-deal exit, Mr Javid said.
Writing in The Sunday Times, Mr Gove said that, while the aim was still to leave with a deal, the government needed to prepare for every eventuality.
“With a new prime minister, a new government and a new clarity of mission, we will exit the EU on October 31. No ifs. No buts. No more delay. Brexit is happening,” he said.
“The EU’S leaders have, so far, said they will not change their Jeremy Corbyn has said he is “not in the slightest” bit worried about going up against Boris Johnson in a general election.
The Labour leader said his party had most candidates selected in marginal constituencies and a “summer campaign plan” is in place.
Mr Corbyn said Labour also had many policy announcements ready.
Asked if he was worried about competing with Mr