Politics

Boris Johnson tells Jean-Claude Juncker there is ‘no prospect’ of a Brexit deal unless the backstop is abolished



Boris Johnson has told European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker there is “no prospect” of a Brexit deal unless the contentious backstop is scrapped. 

Downing Street confirmed that, during a phone call with Mr Juncker on Tuesday evening, Mr Johnson set out the UK will be leaving the European Union on October 31 “whatever the circumstances”.

He said that “we absolutely want to do so with a deal” but a No 10 spokesman added: “The PM was also clear, however, that unless the Withdrawal Agreement is reopened and the backstop abolished, there is no prospect of that deal.”

It comes amid what could become a renewed push to agree a divorce deal before Britain leaves the EU on Oct. 31.

Boris Johnson discussed Brexit plans with Mr Juncker (AFP/Getty Images)

A spokesman for the commission said Mr Juncker used the exchange to repeat his willingness to “work constructively”.

He reiterated Mr Juncker’s desire to look at “concrete proposals he may have, as long as they are compatible with the Withdrawal Agreement”.

Mr Juncker said the EU was “fully prepared for a no-deal scenario” but added that the bloc would do “everything it can to avoid such a situation”.

Countdown to Brexit: 65 days until Britain leaves the EU

“A no-deal scenario will only ever be the UK’s decision, not the EU’s,” he told Mr Johnson.

The backstop was a joint arrangement agreed between the UK and the EU in a bid to avoid border checks in Northern Ireland after Brexit.

Former PM Theresa May signed Britain up to a number of Brussels rules to ensure an open border, until a friction-free solution could be decided.

Mr Corbyn was in talks with MPs on Tuesday (AFP/Getty Images)

The call between Mr Johnson and Mr Juncker came on the same day as a cross-party delegation – including rebel Tories – met with Jeremy Corbyn to discuss methods of thwarting a no-deal Brexit in case the last-ditch efforts for an agreement fail.

Mr Corbyn said Labour will “do everything necessary” to halt a no-deal Brexit and claimed the UK is heading for a crisis under Mr Johnson, stating a no-deal exit would amount to a “bankers’ Brexit” benefiting the rich.

Mr Corbyn wrote in the Independent: “The battle to stop no-deal Brexit isn’t a struggle between those who want to leave the EU and those who want continued membership.

“It’s a battle of the many against the few who are hijacking the referendum result to shift even more power and wealth towards those at the top.”

The opposition leader repeated his calls for a general election and said Labour would offer a referendum “with a credible Leave option as well as the option to Remain”.

Some 160 MPs signed a declaration to stop a no-deal Brexit “using whatever mechanism possible” during a meeting at the wartime home of the Houses of Parliament, Church House. 

Mr Corbyn cited new legal advice from shadow home secretary Shami Chakrabati who said Mr Johnson would pursue “the gravest abuse of power and attack upon UK constitutional principle in living memory” if he suspended parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit.

He also wrote to 116 Conservative MPs, urging them to support his plans to stop no-deal. 

In his letter to Tory backbenchers, including the former PM and ex-Chancellor, Mr Corbyn said: “We know there is a majority in parliament against no deal.

“As MPs, we’ve voted against no deal on a number of occasions and we did so in the largest number on March 27 of this year.

“As you were one of 116 Conservative or independent MPs who voted against no deal that day and are not on the government frontbench, I am writing to you to offer to work together, in a collegiate, cross-party spirit, to find a practical way to prevent no deal.”

The Conservative Party accused Mr Corbyn of attempting to “stop Brexit happening altogether”.

Mr Johnson tweeted that “the referendum result must be respected” and restated his commitment to the October 31 date.

A Number 10 source told PA: “We are now making progress because our European partners realise we are serious about leaving the EU on October 31 – no ifs, no buts.

“It’s utterly perverse that Corbyn and his allies are actively seeking to sabotage the UK’s position.

“This coalition of anti-democrats should be honest with the British public, they are against us leaving the EU no matter what.

“The Government believes politicians don’t get to choose which public votes they respect.”

Earlier, Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage also upped the ante on no-deal by announcing he is open to a “non-aggression pact” with the Tories if Boris Johnson commits to a hard Brexit.

The MEP suggested his new party will work “in tandem” with the Tories by standing down in seats where they would likely win, and vice versa.

Mr Farage said such an alliance would be “unstoppable” and without their help, Mr Johnson’s party would be unable to form a workable majority in the Commons.

He said: “If Boris Johnson was to summon up the courage to lead this country towards a clean-break Brexit on 31 October and if the only means of achieving that was calling a general election, which I frankly expect that it would be, if Boris Johnson is prepared to do the right thing to win our independence, then we are prepared to do the right thing and we would put country before party and we would do it every time.”



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