Brexit talks postponed in blow to Boris Johnson’s proposals
Brexit talks between the UK and European Union will be postponed until next week with the European Commission claiming the new proposals “do not provide a basis for concluding an agreement”.
The EU Commission’s spokeswoman Natasha Bertraud said talks on replacing the Irish backstop would not take place this weekend as anticipated, but added that the UK would get “another opportunity to present its proposals” on Monday.
Read more: Boris Johnson to seek delay if no deal agreed by 19 October
“Michel Barnier debriefed (officials) yesterday, where member states agreed that the UK proposals do not provide a basis for concluding an agreement,” she said.
Johnson’s Europe advisor, David Frost, has been in Brussels already to hold technical talks with officials, while the Prime Minister is expected to tour European capitals for face-to-face talks next week.
On Friday Johnson reiterated his desire not to delay Brexit, tweeting: “New deal or no deal – but no delay.”
It comes despite his lawyer insisting he will comply with a law calling for the current Brexit date of 31 October to be extended if no deal is agreed by 19 October in the Houses of Parliament.
In the highest court in Scotland, papers were read out in which Johnson had accepted he must request a delay if no deal is agreed.
But Steve Baker, the chairman of the European Research Group of hardline Tory Brexiteers, said this did not confirm an extension would be requested.
“A source confirms all this means is that government will obey the law,” he said.
“It does not mean we will extend. It does not mean we will stay in the EU beyond 31 October. We will leave.”
Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar said: “Brexit doesn’t end with the UK leaving, it’s just the next phase of negotiations but if the UK were to request an extension, we would consider it, but most EU countries would only consider it for good reason, but an extension would be better than no deal.”
Read more: Brexit is not ‘mission impossible’ says Ireland Minister
Jolyon Maugham QC, one of the lawyers who brought the case at Edinburgh’s Court of Session, told Sky News: “What we learned today is that the Prime Minister has promised the court, in his own name, that he will ask for an extension under the Benn Act if the conditions are satisfied, in other words if parliament has not before 19 October agreed a withdrawal agreement.
“He’s also promised the court that he will not frustrate the Benn Act by which is meant that he will not send two letters, one saying can I have an extension, the other saying please don’t give me one; he won’t collude with foreign governments to attempt to persuade those foreign governments to veto an extension.”