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Germany expects Britain to crash out of the European Union without a deal, a leaked document has reportedly revealed.
The leaked finance ministry memo said officials believe a disorderly Brexit is now “highly likely”, according to Handelsblatt Today.
The publication revealed on Thursday that the government believes the UK will crash out without a deal on October 31, given Prime Minister Boris Johnson‘s demands that the Irish backstop be dropped from Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement.
The leaked document reportedly said that while a change in Mr Johnson’s “hard negotiating position“ is unlikely, he may use the upcoming G-7 summit in France to announce a breakthrough or collapse in talks with Brussels.
German officials also consider the EU’s preparations for this eventuality to be “largely completed”.
The document calls for the EU’s 27 remaining member states to toe their current line, which rules out renegotiating the deal reached with Mr Johnson’s predecessor Mrs May.
However, a German government spokesman said on Friday that a no-deal Brexit is in no one’s interest, adding that an orderly Brexit remains to be the government’s policy.
The finance ministry declined to comment on the report.
It comes as Mr Johnson said Britain must leave the bloc on the October deadline “deal or no-deal“.
This week, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn launched a bid to take over as Prime Minister in order to block a no-deal Brexit.
He urged parties across the political divide to oust Boris Johnson in a vote of no confidence.
Mr Corbyn then vowed that if he ascends to power he would delay the UK’s departure from the EU, call a snap general election and campaign for another vote with the option to remain in the bloc.
However, his plans have been dealt a blow by a poll showing voters think he lacks the character to get things done.
