Donald Tusk taunts 'Mr no-deal' Boris Johnson in latest Brexit warning

James Morris24 August 2019
WEST END FINAL

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European Council president Donald Tusk has taunted Boris Johnson by reaffirming he will not co-operate on a no-deal Brexit and saying he hopes the Prime Minister doesn't go down in history as "Mr no-deal."

Speaking at the G7 summit on his meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Mr Tusk said: "He will be the third British Conservative Prime Minister with whom I will discuss Brexit.

"The EU was always open to co-operation when David Cameron wanted to avoid Brexit, when Theresa May wanted to avoid a no-deal Brexit, and we will also be ready now to hold serious talks with Prime Minister Johnson."

He warned: "One thing I will not co-operate on is no deal. I still hope that Prime Minster Johnson will not like to go down in history as 'Mr no-deal'.

Donald Tusk at a press conference in Biarritz, south-west France, on the first day of the annual G7 Summit
AFP/Getty Images

"We are willing to listen to ideas that are operational, realistic and acceptable to all member states including Ireland, if and when the UK government is ready to put them on the table."

The meeting of leaders from major economies will see Mr Johnson set out his plans for Brexit in talks with Mr Tusk, building on visits in recent days to the leaders of Germany and France.

Ahead of the summit, which began on Saturday and continues until Monday, Mr Johnson said: "Some people question the democratic decision this country has made, fearing that we will retreat from the world. Some think Britain's best days are behind us.

"To those people I say: you are gravely mistaken."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson
EPA

His comments were seen as a rebuke to Emmanuel Macron after the French president suggested a post-Brexit trade deal with the US could see Britain as a "junior partner" in a position of "historic vassalisation".

On Sunday morning, Mr Johnson will also meet US president Donald Trump for their first face-to-face discussion since he entered Downing Street.

The pair spoke on the phone on Friday night, their fourth official phone call since Mr Johnson took office a month ago and the second call this week.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "They discussed topics on the agenda for the summit, including foreign policy issues and global trade."

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