Boris Johnson warns Emmanuel Macron he'd be 'mistaken' to believe Brexit delay as EU to decide on deal by 'end of week'

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron have discussed the PM's proposed Brexit deal this weekend.
REUTERS
Bonnie Christian7 October 2019
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Boris Johnson has told the French president the European Union should not be lured into the mistaken belief that Brexit will be delayed beyond October 31.

It comes as Emmanuel Macron told the Prime Minister the EU will decide by the end of the week whether a Brexit deal is going to be possible.

One of Mr Johnson's cabinet ministers has also claimed the Government has "no plan" for what might happen if Parliament blocks the UK leaving the EU at the end of the month.

Mr Johnson spent the weekend talking to EU leaders including Mr Macron and Portugal's Antonio Costa, and is thought likely to travel to the continent later this week.

Downing Street warned Brussels it would be an "historic misunderstanding" to believe the so-called Benn Act could prevent a no-deal Brexit - despite being designed to do so.

A senior Number 10 source said if the European Commission did not show a willingness to compromise, the UK would leave without an agreement.

During his call with Mr Macron on Sunday, the PM was said to have made clear that it was the final opportunity to secure a deal - but that the EU must match the compromises the UK has made.

Mr Johnson told his French counterpart that he wanted to reach an agreement that is acceptable to both sides - and that his new proposals commanded the support of parliamentarians, unlike Theresa May's agreement, Number 10 said.

Boris Johnson unveiled his new plans earlier this week
REUTERS

It is also understood that the Government will consider publishing the full legal text, which has so far only been shared confidentially with Brussels, if it is deemed helpful to progress the negotiations.

A senior Number 10 source said: "This is the chance to get a deal done: a deal that is backed by parliamentarians and a deal which involves compromise on all sides.

"The UK has made a big, important offer but it's time for the Commission to show a willingness to compromise too. If not the UK will leave with no deal.

"The surrender act and its authors are undermining negotiations, but if EU leaders are betting that it will prevent no-deal, that would be a historic misunderstanding."

It comes after Mr Macron's office said the two leaders spoke about Mr Johnson's proposals for an accord to soften the blow of Brexit.

Mr Macron, who has resisted a potential extension, told the the PM: "Negotiations should pursue quickly in the coming days" with EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.

The President Macron said they will determine at the end of the week "whether an accord is possible in the respect of European Union principles" of the single market and stability in Ireland.

Talks are due to resume on Monday as both parties try to find a new agreement in time for a summit of European leaders on 17 and 18 October.

On Sunday, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said delivering Brexit on October 31 was the "sole focus" of ministers, who he said would do "absolutely everything in our power" to meet the deadline.

Mr Jenrick told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "Boris Johnson and this Government will do absolutely everything in our power to deliver Brexit on October 31.

"But we have no plan as to what might happen if Parliament doesn't allow us to get Brexit done on October 31 because we intend to get it done on that date and that's the sole focus of this Government at the moment."

Mr Barclay appeared to confirm that the Government would send a letter to the EU requesting a Brexit delay if a deal has not been agreed by October 19 - after Government lawyers told Scotland's highest civil court that Mr Johnson accepted the commitment.

Pressed on the pledge, Mr Barclay told BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show: "If a commitment is given to the court, you abide by it."

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in