Brussels admits Boris Johnson ‘isn’t bluffing’ about walking away with No Deal Brexit as chiefs plan 48-hour exit plan deadline
BRUSSELS has finally admitted Boris Johnson “isn’t bluffing” about walking away with a No Deal Brexit as No10 gives ministers a 48-hour exit plan deadline.
EU bosses are now setting out a “working hypothesis of No Deal” following a summit between officials and Brexit diplomats from the 27 member countries.
Meanwhile the PM’s Brexit guru Dominic Cummings has given ministers a strict deadline to show they are a ready for a No deal scenario – including notes on what needs to be done in each department.
WHITEHALL DEADLINE
It is believed he read the riot act to Downing Street staff yesterday and threatened them with the sack if they tried to block the government leaving the bloc without a Withdrawal Agreement, reports .
An insider claims Cummings, the brains behind the Vote Leave campaign, “absolutely tore into” former Chancellor Philip Hammond and ex business secretary Greg Clark when speaking to special advisors in No10.
The source explained: “He basically said that Hammond and Clark had not only failed to prepare for No Deal but actively blocked it.
“He said: ‘I know what’s happened is not your fault - it’s Hammond and Clark’s fault'. He absolutely tore into them.
“But then he said: ‘If you don’t flag problems now and they blow up in the next two weeks then it will be your fault.'”
RAMPING UP
Back in Brussels, at a meeting yesterday representatives from the 27 capitals decided to ramp up No Deal planning in September with a major communications blitz.
Diplomats expressed alarm at the positions put by Mr Johnson’s chief negotiator, David Frost, in meetings with the Commission last week.
Sources said they had concluded from the talks that “it was clear the UK does not have another plan” besides ditching the backstop entirely.
Some member states expressed concerns even that would not be enough to win over hardline Brexiteer MPs who have their hearts set on No Deal.
'REALITY IS SINKING IN'
A spokesman for the PM insisted he “wants to meet EU leaders and negotiate a new deal with the greatest energy and the spirit of friendship”.
But an EU diplomatic source said: “The conclusion is that No Deal appears to be the UK Government’s central scenario now.
“Reality is sinking in. Johnson has been so public and categorical in his statements that it is hard to see how his Government can go back on them.”
Yesterday it emerged Germany doesn’t believe the PM will be able to make good on his threat to take the UK out without an agreement on October 31.
Reality is sinking in. Johnson has been so public and categorical in his statements that it is hard to see how his Government can go back on them.
EU diplomat
Officials in Berlin reckon MPs will block No Deal and an ensuing election would result in a new pro-EU government committed to a second referendum.
Sources said Mr Frost also conceded to Eurocrats that alternative arrangements to the Irish border may not be ready in time for Brexit day.
BARE BONES DEAL
One diplomat suggested the admission would help bolster EU unity with Ireland, saying: “It was useful for us to hear that from the horse’s mouth.
“The message is now being sent out from Brussels loud and clear to national capitals that even if the EU gave up the backstop there is no alternative.”
Brussels sources said Mr Frost also told the Commission the PM will seek a bare-bones trade deal after No Deal that totally frees Britain from EU rules.
Mr Johnson’s top negotiator said the UK just wants a “conventional” FTA with no "level playing field" obligations.
Such an agreement is seen by the EU as a downgrade on its offer to Britain of a pact that eliminates all tariffs and quotas in return for alignment.
It would mean Britain could diverge from Brussels regulations, possibly gaining a competitive advantage for our businesses over European rivals.
But the further away from EU rules the Government chose to go, the more barriers would be put up to trade between the UK and the Continent.
A UK Government spokesman said there was “abundant scope to find the technological solutions necessary” to the Irish border in a future FTA.
They said: “We are ready to negotiate in good faith an alternative to the anti-democratic backstop.
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“We want a friendly and constructive relationship as friends and partners in facing the challenges that lie ahead, based on a deep Free Trade Agreement.
“We hope the EU will rethink its current refusal to make any changes to the Withdrawal Agreement.
“If the EU wants a deal it needs to change its stance. Until then, we will continue to prepare to leave the EU on October 31.”
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