Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson suggests Britain could leave the EU before 2019 as Theresa May is expected to trigger ‘Article 50’ early next year
Boris Johnson said that the process of extracting the UK from the EU could take even less than the predicted two years
BORIS Johnson suggested Britain could leave the EU before 2019.
The Foreign Secretary said he expected PM Theresa May to trigger the 'Article 50’ official exit process to begin departure talks "in the early part of next year".
He also suggested a deal may be wrapped up quicker than the process's two year time limit - meaning the UK could walk away in 2018 instead.
It had been thought the negotiations would be so complex that Mrs May might ask to extend it.
But Mr Johnson said: "I don’t actually think we will necessarily need to spend a full two years.
"But let’s see how we go".
It is the first public confirmation by a senior minister of the Brexit timetable that Theresa May has plotted.
All the new PM has said so far is that she would not trigger Article 50 this year.
Boris also insisted the UK would crack an all-important deal with the EU to continue the City’s financial services access as well as controlling immigration - something EU politicians have tried to rule out.
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But BoJo insisted: "It’s overwhelmingly in their interests.
"Not only do we buy more German cars than anybody else, we drink more Italian wine than any other country in Europe – 300m litres of Prosecco every year.
"They’re not going to put that at risk."
Downing Street slapped down Boris's claim last night to insist the PM alone will decide Brexit's timing.
A No10 source said: "The decision to trigger Article 50 is hers.
“She will be doing it at a time when she believes it is in the best interest for Britain.”
"The Prime Minister’s position has not changed.”
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