Stand up to EU ‘bullies’, Boris Johnson tells Prime Minister after Brexit negotiations stall
Boris Johnson today called on the Prime Minister to push back against the EU “bullies” following the collapse of Brexit talks between the UK and the bloc.
The former foreign secretary claimed that negotiations are in the “moment of crisis” and warned that Theresa May must “stand up to bullies” as he applies pressure to the beleaguered Prime Minister.
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Writing in his Telegraph column, Johnson said: “There comes a point when you have to stand up to bullies.
"After more than two years of being ruthlessly pushed around by the EU, it is time for the UK to resist.”
He said the UK had chosen to go along with the EU’s timetable for discussions “with painful politeness”, and claimed Britain has “nothing to show” for the £39bn so-called Brexit divorce bill and commitment to protect the rights of EU nationals living in the UK.
"We are now entering the moment of crisis. Matters cannot go on as they are,” Johnson added.
The Brexiter’s warning comes after Brexit negotiators failed to reach an agreement during a hectic set of meetings in Brussels last night, and at the start of a critical week for May.
The Prime Minister faces a showdown over her Chequers plan this week after negotiations stalled yesterday, with an EU summit set to take place on Wednesday.
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Downing Street said there are “several big issues still to resolve”, including the Northern Ireland backstop, where the UK could stay inside the customs union until a border resolution is agreed.
Some ministers are set to revolt over how “temporary” the backstop could prove to be, with Cabinet members reportedly considering their positions.
Ex-Brexit secretary David Davis yesterday called on the Cabinet to reject Chequers, claiming a Canada-style free trade deal with the EU is “clearly within our grasp”.