Johnson warns Tusk not to go down as ‘Mr No Deal’
European council leader and PM argue over Brexit responsibility ahead of face-to-face talks at G7
BORIS JOHNSON and Donald Tusk clashed on the first day of the G7 summit over who would be held responsible in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
The president of the European Council said he hopes Mr Johnson does not want to go down in history as “Mr No Deal” ahead of their face-to-face talks at the G7 summit of world leaders. Speaking on the plane to Biarritz, in France, the Prime Minister shot back by suggesting that any failure to agree a new Brexit deal would be blamed on Mr Tusk.
Mr Johnson said: “As I have made it absolutely clear, I don’t want a no-deal Brexit. But I say to our friends in the EU: if they don’t want a no-deal Brexit then we have got to get rid of the backstop from the treaty.
“If Donald Tusk doesn’t want to go down as ‘Mr No-Deal Brexit’ then I hope that point will be borne in mind by him too.”
Mr Johnson is also expected to tell EU leaders that the £39 billion “divorce bill” agreed by Theresa May should be cut to as little as £7billion in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Following advice from Downing Street lawyers, he will argue that Britain should not pay any of the costs associated with the transition period in a no deal scenario, the Mail on Sunday said.
Mr Tusk used a press conference at the start of the summit to signal he could reopen Brexit negotiations.
He said: “[Mr Johnson] will be the third British Conservative prime minister with whom I will discuss Brexit.
“The EU was always open to co-operation when David Cameron wanted to avoid Brexit, when Theresa May wanted to avoid a no-deal Brexit and we will also be ready now to hold serious talks with Prime Minister Johnson.”
However, Mr Tusk added: “One thing I will not co-operate on is no deal. I still hope that Prime Minister Johnson will not like to go down in history as ‘Mr No Deal’.
“We are willing to listen to ideas that are operational, realistic and acceptable to all member states including Ireland, if and when the UK Government is ready to put them on the table.”
During their meeting today, Mr Johnson is expected to point to the willingness shown by Angela Merkel
‘We will be ready to hold serious talks with Prime Minister Johnson, but I will not co-operate on no deal’
and Emmanuel Macron to amend the Withdrawal Agreement.
Mr Tusk previously said there is a “special place in hell” for people who backed Brexit without a clear plan.
Asked if he thought that was aimed at him, Mr Johnson said: “I have great relations with our friends and partners in the EU and intend to continue to improve them the whole time, without getting into any post-Brexit eschatology with the president of the council.”
Arriving at the summit, Mr Tusk said it will be a “difficult test of unity and solidarity”.
He also rejected Donald Trump’s suggestion Russia should be readmitted into the group, saying there were more reasons than before for keeping Moscow out. Mr Tusk said: “One year ago, in Canada, president Trump suggested reinviting Russia to G7, stating openly that Crimea’s annexation by Russia was partially justified. And that we should accept this fact. Under no condition can we agree with this logic.”
The Prime Minister is expected to tell Mr Tusk that the UK is working to present solutions to the Irish backstop.
Officials will be expected to update David Frost, the Prime Minister’s Europe adviser, on progress as he plans to hold meetings next week.
Mr Johnson will also reaffirm his commitment to getting the UK out of the European Union on Oct 31. He said yesterday: “We’ve made it very clear we won’t be instituting any kind of
checks or controls at the Northern Irish border. We don’t think such controls are necessary.”
It follows Mr Johnson’s talks with Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron in which the he said the “mood music” was positive.
However, he later pointed out he was “telling people not to hold their breath” for a breakthrough.
Yesterday, Mr Macron said Europe will “probably” decide to bring in tax cuts to stimulate economic growth amid the backdrop of a trade war between America and China.
As the French president arrived at the summit, he said: “When I look at Europe especially, we need some new tools to relaunch our economy.”