EU’s Donald Tusk says Brexit should be SCRAPPED and claims a deal is ‘impossible’
It caME after the PM's vote got slapped down by MPs last night, and Germany's foreign minister said there 'could be further talks'
EU boss Donald Tusk last night warned that Brexit could be cancelled after Theresa May suffered the biggest defeat in British political history.
The President of the European Council slammed the UK’s indecision and said a deal was now “impossible” just moments after the Prime Minster’s plan for leaving the EU was crushed by 432 votes to 202.
The Eurocrat wrote on Twitter: “If a deal is impossible, and no one wants no deal, then who will finally have the courage to say what the only positive solution is?”
The only way for Brexit to be cancelled would be for Theresa May to revoke Article 50 – or for a second Brexit vote where Brits opted to stay IN the bloc.
European allies also waded in last night, with Jean Claude Juncker saying the rejected deal was the “best possible” one and was a “fair compromise”.
Mr Juncker added: “The risk of a disorderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom has increased with this evening’s vote.
“While we do not want this to happen, the European Commission will continue its contingency work to help ensure the EU is fully prepared.
“I urge the United Kingdom to clarify its intentions as soon as possible. Time is almost up.”
EU negotiator Michel Barnier said the bloc would “remain united and determined to reach a deal” with the UK.
But some MPs thought this was the “beginning of the end for Brexit”.
Best for Britain MP Layla Moran, who wants a second Brexit vote, said: “This is a time in British politics where anything is possible, including MPs coming to their sense and realising there is now only one way out.”
Earlier on Tuesday, German’s Foreign Minister said that Brussels could hold fresh Brexit talks with Britain.
Ahead of May’s humiliating drubbing, Heiko Maas told the European Parliament today that there could be “further talks”.
He said: “The agreement stands, as it is. I doubt very much that the agreement can be fundamentally reopened.
“If there were a better solution, it would already have been put forward.”
But he added: “If it goes wrong, there could be further talks.”
EU leaders have ruled OUT another special Brexit summit – but they haven’t said they won’t re-open Brexit talks.
The news confirmed The Sun’s story on Monday that the PM was given fresh hopes of success over Brexit after the German leader suggested the EU could grant extra concessions once the troubled agreement has been shot down.
But Angela Merkel’s spokesperson said last night that nothing fresh has yet been offered.
Tory MP Owen Paterson said Germany’s intervention was “very significant”.
Dubbing the pair’s phone call on Sunday morning as “very positive”, the source told The Sun: “Merkel believes there is more the EU can do once the vote is over as no deal would be a disaster for everyone, and they agreed to talk after it”.
As the PM faces the darkest moment of her career:
- The Tories reeled from the biggest defeat of any modern Government with their 230-vote loss
- Mrs May welcomed the no-confidence motion tabled by Jeremy Corbyn
- MPs will today vote on whether to boot the PM out of office, which could spark another election just weeks before Brexit
- The DUP and hardline Brexiteers said they would vote to keep her in power
- The PM will open cross-party talks today with senior MPs to find a way to push her deal through
- Boris Johnson told Mrs May she must go back to Brussels and re-open the deal
- EU leaders said the withdrawal agreement is the best on offer – but have NOT ruled out re-opening talks
Meanwhile, the PM faces a vote of no confidence in her own Government tonight.
There will be a debate and then MPs will vote on whether to boot her out of office.
But it’s unlikely to succeed because Mrs May still has the support of her DUP allies – for the moment.
And with those 10 votes the Government is likely to stay in power.
How will this all end? Brexit outcomes explained
GENERAL ELECTION
The PM will face a no confidence vote tonight. But the DUP have already vowed to back her in it.
So it’s pretty unlikely it will pass, leaving Labour red-faced yet again.
HOW LIKELY? 1/5
GOING SOFT
A cross-party group of MPs are frantically pushing an alternative Soft Brexit plan which could replace Mrs May’s deal.
It would be welcomed by big business – but Brexit voters would be unhappy because it would mean Britain accepting open borders, and following European rules without a say.
HOW LIKELY? 3/5
HARD AS NAILS
Most of the Tory Brexiteers who oppose the PM’s deal want her to return to Brussels and strike a tougher line.
But Eurocrats currently insist it’s impossible to re-open negotiations.
HOW LIKELY? 2/5
REFERENDUM RE-RUN
Dozens of MPs are hell-bent on forcing Mrs May to hold a second referendum so Britain can stay in the EU.
Yet without the support of the Government it’s unlikely the second vote could become a reality.
HOW LIKELY? 3/5
DEAL OR NO DEAL?
If Mrs May cannot pass a deal, the legal default is that we will leave the EU without a deal on March 29.
Despite the legal position, the majority of MPs insist they will take any measure necessary to rule out No Deal.
HOW LIKELY? 4/5
MAY TRIUMPHS – EVENTUALLY
Cabinet ministers remain adamant that a version of Theresa May’s plan will eventually pass the Commons, even after losing tonight.
They believe sceptical MPs will lose their nerve as Brexit Day approaches – terrified of either No Deal or a second referendum.
HOW LIKELY? 3/5
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