MICHEL Barnier tonight insisted the new British PM will not be allowed to reopen Theresa May’s deal or secure better terms on the backstop. The EU’s chief negotiator said the current divorce package is the “only one possible” and different leadership in the UK “will not change” anything. He said the new PM has a […]
MICHEL Barnier tonight insisted the new British PM will not be allowed to reopen Theresa May’s deal or secure better terms on the backstop.
The EU’s chief negotiator said the current divorce package is the “only one possible” and different leadership in the UK “will not change” anything.
He said the new PM has a choice of accepting Mrs May’s deal, opting for No Deal or cancelling Brexit altogether.
Speaking at a conference in Slovakia, the Frenchman said: “In any case, a new prime minister will not change the problem.
“The problem is there and the new prime minister will have the responsibility with us to solve this problem.
“We are ready to engage with him and his team. We are ready to work once again for an orderly Brexit.”
Mr Barnier added that the EU and UK are “not sure to succeed” in finding alternative arrangements to replace the backstop in the future.
Appearing alongside him, Slovakia’s foreign minister vowed European capitals will not grant another extension to a British PM trying to reopen the deal.
Miroslav Lajčák insisted a General Election or a second referendum were the only reasons that would justify a further delay.
He said: “If there’s a request for another extension just for the sake of repetition of the same this might spoil the mood in some countries.
“If there has to be another extension it has to be with a very good reason like elections, the second referendum.
“Definitely not because someone has given a promise to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement.
“We’ve said many times and we will say many times that this is closed, it’s not going to be reopened.”
And he expressed anger at Tory leadership hopefuls promising to renegotiate Mrs May’s deal, saying any attempts will be rebuffed.
He said: “Some of them are already promising that they will force the EU to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement. It will not happen.
“The new leader will inherit the same divided country, the same parliament which has rejected all the possible deals so far and will inherit the same arrangement.”
“I would caution against too high expectations. Don’t expect that there will be a miraculous solution out of the blue.”
