Boris Johnson insists we WILL leave the EU with ‘new deal or no deal – but no delay’ despite Brexit letter claims
BORIS Johnson has vowed he'll not delay Brexit and the UK WILL quit the EU with a “new deal or no deal”.
The PM says he's determined the country will leave the Euro bloc by October 31 — despite a bombshell court document suggesting he might be forced to beg for more time.
Mr Johnson has previously declared he'd rather be "dead in a ditch" than ask for an extension.
And last night he defiantly tweeted: “New deal or no deal - but no delay..”
The chances of his new Brexit proposals succeeding, however, were dealt a heavy blow by Brussels yesterday, as EU member states agreed the plans "do not provide a basis for concluding an agreement".
But, according to the , Mr Johnson could be given a lifeline from Hungary should it veto a Brexit extension.
EU sources told the newspaper senior UK ministers had reached out to the Hungarian government, an ally of Britain, for assurances it would block a delay.
An Article 50 extension must be agreed by all 27 other EU leaders.
But if one nation blocks an extension, the UK will be able to leave without a deal.
While by law a deal must be struck by October 19, or an extension be requested, Boris hasn't said he'll do that.
Yesterday, Government sources were quick to stress a Brexit delay is not on the cards.
Leading Brexiteer, Steve Baker, said: "All this means is the government will obey the law. We will still leave."
And a senior No10 source told the BBC that the law didn't stop Boris from doing other things to allow the UK to still leave.
"The Government will comply with the Benn Act, which only imposes a very specific narrow duty concerning Parliament’s letter requesting a delay.
"The Government is not prevented by Act from doing other things that cause no delay including other communications, private and public."
"People will have to wait to see how this is reconciled.
"The Government is making its true position on delay known privately in Europe and this will become public soon."
The news comes as...
- Boris revealed his new Brexit plans to the EU earlier this week in an 11th hour bid to seal a deal
- Brussels initially reacted warmly but Ireland has led the hardline response and slapped it down
- The Sun revealed how Boris was
Documents shown in a Scottish court yesterday read: "The Prime Minister accepts in relation to the 2019 Act... [if there is no deal or the House of Commons does not approve a No Deal] he will send a letter in the form set out in the schedule by no later than 19 October 2019."
The documents also confirmed that if the European Court decided to agree to an extension, he would be "obliged immediately to notify the President of the EU that the United Kingdom agrees to that extension".
The QC Aidan O'Neill said he was seeking an official order from the court so that Boris could be held in contempt if he doesn't comply.
But it's been mooted that the PM could force someone else to sign the letter to extend Article 50 on his behalf.
The judge at the Court of Session's Inner House said it would be "unprecedented" for him to do this.
Lord Drummond Young said: “In the circumstances of this case, it is unprecedented. There’s a question of competence.”
Three judges set a fresh court clash up for next Tuesday on whether this would be legal.
It's also previously been suggested that the PM could ask for the extension but ask other EU leaders to reject it, as all 27 do have a veto over it.
Or Boris could send two letters - one asking for an extension and another stressing he does not want one and will not accept one.
He could also send a letter but stress behind the scenes to EU leaders that it is not the position of the UK Government.
It does not mean we will extend. It does not mean we will stay in the EU beyond Oct 31. We will leave.
Steve Baker MP
Last Wednesday the PM revealed his new Brexit plans that he hopes can finally cut a deal with Brussels before the October 31 deadline.
Although EU leaders including Jean Claude Juncker initially reacted warmly to his suggestions, Ireland and other leaders said it wasn't good enough.
Last night EU boss Donald Tusk said Brussels remains "open but unconvinced" about the ideas.
And Irish leader Leo Varadkar said the proposals "fall short in a number of aspects" and suggested there should be a second referendum on Brexit.
Boris Johnson is set to do a ring-around of EU capitals today and speak to Brussels leaders to try and sway them over to his plan.
And he will do a tour of EU capitals with visits next week, No10 announced.
What is Boris Johnson's news Brexit plan?
The PM has a new proposal for Brexit arrangements with the EU.
Boris Johnson’s five points, set out in a letter to the EU, are:
- A promise to find a solution that is compatible with the Good Friday Agreement;
- A commitment to UK-Ireland collaboration, ensuring free travel between the two;
- EU rules for goods and agri-food followed in Northern Ireland.
- A vote for Northern Ireland to sign off the deal by June 2020 — and others to confirm it every four years;
- A single UK customs zone covers Northern Ireland. Customs checks will take place away from the border.
Under the Prime Minister's plans checks would take place away from the actual border.
He has suggested that physical checks would only be required on a small proportion of trade and most checks would take place on the premises of the trader.
This would be similar to the arrangement Norway and Sweden have and allow inspectors from each other's jurisdictions to carry out checks anywhere on all of Ireland.
Mr Johnson's plans have some similarities to the backstop idea.
Northern Ireland would continue to follow EU regulations on areas such as agriculture, food safety and industrial goods, while the UK would not be obliged to.
But with Mr Johnson's idea Northern Ireland's Executive and Assembly would have to approve following the single market arrangement.
Then Stormont would have to decide whether or not it wanted to continue following the rules or side with the UK every four years.
A separate hearing is taking place on whether the PM can be forced to extend Article 50 if he refuses to comply with the law - which Boris has dubbed the "Surrender Act".The legal action - led by businessman Vince Dale, SNP MP Joanna Cherry QC and Jolyon Maugham QC - will ask the court to require Mr Johnson to seek an extension to avoid leaving the EU without a deal.
Ms Cherry said: “Like much of what Boris Johnson says, there is a gulf of truth between the obvious facts of the matter and what he and his Government have been saying. He cannot be trusted, and this court action is about ensuring he abides by the law."
The government is contesting the action. It claims that since the Prime Minister is not resident in Scotland, a Scottish court has no jurisdiction. No10 declined to comment.
Last night the Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski said he was considering a legal challenge to the Benn Act.
He tweeted: "Following personal meeting with Barristers today I have shared written legal advice on loopholes in ‘Surrender Act’ with colleagues.
"Barristers believe we have case to take to Courts and encouraging me to pursue. Reflecting over weekend."
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