David Davis to tell EU £36billion divorce bill is off the table until future relations deal is agreed
BRITAIN will tell EU chiefs to forget their £36billion divorce bill unless they strike deal for life after Brexit.
David Davis will insist all cash is off the table until they discuss the “bigger issue” of our future relations.
The Brexit Secretary will bombard them with a mountain of detailed proposals covering everything from trade to migration.
It is part of a determined drive to end the EU’s obsession with a cash settlement and talk about the post-2019 partnership.
The PM is planning a major speech to lay out her vision for the nation’s future partnership with the EU.
Mr Davis will fire the opening shots in a new offensive this week by publishing the first of 12 detailed papers laying the groundwork for the next round of talks.
They will cover the availability of goods, sharing of official documents and the Irish border.
Sources say the papers will “blow apart” claims by EU officials that Britain has failed to prepare for the Brexit talks.
In fact, they claim it will show that the depth of thinking is far more advanced than Brussels – and will put them on the back foot.
Mr Davis said: “Over the last year, the government has been working with British business and the British people to establish exactly how our new relationship with the EU should look and feel.
“And over the coming weeks, we’ll advance that thinking with a swathe of new future partnership papers.
“I’ve launched this process because, with time of the essence, we need to get on with negotiating the bigger issues around our future partnership to ensure we get a deal that delivers a strong UK and a strong EU.
“It’s what businesses across Europe have called on both sides to do and will demonstrate that the UK is ready for the job.
“This is an important next step in delivering on last summer’s referendum and getting on with the task se to us by the British public.”
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Three papers expected this week will cover the availability of goods, access to official documents and the Northern Ireland border.
They will lay out the case for a return to the “special” relationship the UK had with the Irish Republic long before either joined the EU.
Plans have also been drawn up to break free from EU regulations which could hamper moves to strike trade deals with other countries.
Junior Brexit Minister Steve Baker said: “Over the weeks ahead, these papers will reveal the deep preparedness of the UK government to settle our future relationship with the EU in our mutual interests.
“Whether they voted leave or remain, over two-thirds of voters want us to get on with it.
“Let’s go forward together in a spirit of buoyancy and hope.”