Brexit news latest: Guy Verhofstadt ‘absolutely not positive’ about Boris Johnson’s proposal for new deal with the EU

The Brexit coordinator for the European Parliament has said he is “absolutely not positive” about Boris Johnson’s new proposal for a deal with the EU. 

Guy Verhofstadt, who chairs the European Parliament’s Brexit steering group, said  “the first assessment of nearly every member in the Brexit Steering Group was not positive.”

“It doesn’t provide the necessary safeguards for Ireland,” he said.

The Prime Minister published his new plan to the EU on Wednesday in which the controversial Irish backstop agreement had been removed. 

Mr Verhosfstadt said the group would flesh out objections on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator told reporters “a lot of work still needs to be done”.

He said: “There is progress. But to be frank, a lot of work still needs to be done to reach, to fulfil, the three objectives of the backstop – no border, all-Ireland economy, and protecting the single market.

“That means protecting the consumer, the citizens, and the businesses inside the single market, the 27 member states.

“So now we will continue to work, to work to reach a deal. The no-deal will never be the choice of the EU. Never. So we will continue to reach a deal and to work with the UK team.”

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker reacted coolly to the blueprint to break the Brexit deadlock with the plan that would see Northern Ireland effectively remain tied to EU single market rules for goods but leave the customs union. 

Under his proposal, the arrangements would have to be approved by the currently suspended Northern Ireland Assembly, which would then vote every four years on whether to keep them.

In a statement, the commission said that Mr Juncker welcomed the proposals for “full regulatory alignment” between Northern Ireland and the EU.

“However, the president also noted that there are still some problematic points that will need further work in the coming days, notably with regards to the governance of the backstop,” the statement said.

“The delicate balance struck by the Good Friday agreement must be preserved.”

The statement also expressed concern about the proposed customs rules, saying they still needed a “legally operational solution” to ensure there was no return of a hard border on the island of Ireland after Brexit.

The Irish premier said the proposals did not fully meet the agreed objectives of the backstop.

Leo Varadkar and Mr Johnson discussed the proposed plans in a phone call on Wednesday evening.

Afterwards, a statement from the Irish Government said the Taoiseach would study the proposals further and consult with other EU leaders.

“The Taoiseach said the proposals do not fully meet the agreed objectives of the backstop,” the statement said.

“However, he indicated that he would study them in further detail, and would consult with the EU institutions, including the Task Force and our EU partners.

“The Taoiseach expects to speak with European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and with other EU heads of government over the coming days.

“This will include the Swedish and Danish prime ministers, with whom the Taoiseach has bilateral meetings on Thursday and Friday in their capitals.

“The Taoiseach said he wants to see a deal agreed and ratified, and will continue to work in unity with our EU partners to this end.

“The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister agreed they would speak again next week.”