EU says Britain cannot back out of Brexit in bid to heap pressure on negotiating stance
Brussels document claims other EU members would also have to agree any change of heart
THE EU has said for first time that Britain cannot reverse Brexit, in a bid to heap pressure on the UK’s negotiating stance.
Europe’s treaties are unclear on whether member states who want to leave are allowed to change their mind during two years of exit talks.
But The Sun can reveal that the European Commission quietly slipped out its own declaration on the Article 50 process last week.
The Brussels document claims other EU members would also have to agree any change of heart, saying: “Once triggered, it cannot be unilaterally reversed.
“Article 50 does not provide for the unilateral withdrawal of the notification”.
The Brexit ministry hit back last night to insist it has no intention of upending the landmark referendum decision, as well as casting doubt on the commission’s ruling.
The move is being seen by ministers in Whitehall as a bid to turn the screw on our negotiators by closing down any back door route to win more time for talks.
Brussels bosses are convinced that intense time pressure on Theresa May to wrap up a deal by the autumn of 2018 will eventually force her into making painful compromises.
A senior government source said: “This is as a clear attempt by Brussels to rattle us.
“They think we will blink first and buckle, and closing down any potential escape routes for us is part of that.”
Questioning whether the EU Commission is right, a Department for Exiting the European Union spokesman hit back to say: “There is no precedent for a country triggering Article 50, let alone seeking to reverse such a decision”.
But the spokesman also added: “The British people voted to leave the European Union, and the government is getting on with the job of doing just that.
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“We have absolutely no intention of revoking our notification to leave the EU.
“Our conversations with the Commission continue to be constructive.
“Both sides recognise the need to observe the timetable set out by A50 and get down to the serious business of negotiations.”
Mrs May also insisted during an interview with LBC radio last night that Britain’s negotiating position is “as good as it was” before her disastrous General Election result.
The PM explained: “This is not just about the UK’s position, it’s about the interests of the EU as well”.
In a bid to turn the tables on Brussels, a former Brexit minister yesterday warned the EU that it would be “very dangerous” for them to stall talks over a row about money because no deal would blow a disastrous hole in Brussels’ budget.
Meanwhile, the Lib Dems claimed their analysis of DexEU documents has revealed the government’s Article 50 court cases earlier this year cost taxpayers £1.2m in legal fees.
The government lose a legal fight to stop Parliament from getting a vote to sanctify the Brexit decision.