Angela Merkel warns Britain that our EU Withdrawal Agreement is FINAL — as eurocrats hope for Brexit reversal
ANGELA Merkel warned Britain there is “no question” of renegotiating the terms of the Brexit deal.
The German Chancellor insisted the withdrawal pact agreed with Theresa May is the bloc’s final offer.
She said: “We have a document on the table that Britain and the EU have agreed to, so for me there’s no question at the moment whether we negotiate further.”
Her intervention came after eurocrats insisted the deal is “the best we can do” and that there is no room for further compromises.
Their 'take it or leave it' ultimatum will scotch Brexiteer and Remainer hopes that the terms of the deal could be reopened if Theresa May is toppled.
A senior EU official said: “On both sides we’ve exhausted our margin of manoeuvre under our respective mandates.
“As negotiators we’re happy to stand over the agreement. We think it’s the best we can do collectively.
“If someone comes with wishes for changes they have to take their responsibilities and assess what that does to the process.”
EU Parliament Brexit chief Guy Verhofstadt added: “There is not a lot of room for manoeuvre to say, ‘OK, let’s start again’.”
Their stark message came after Donald Tusk described the agreement as “damage control” and hinted the bloc is prepared for a reversal of Brexit.
The Council boss was responding to a day of chaos in London which saw Brexit secretary Dominic Raab quit in protest at the pact reached with Brussels.
Mr Tusk said: “It is not for me to comment on the latest developments in London.
“All I can say is that the EU is prepared for a final deal with the UK in November.
“We are also prepared for a no deal scenario, but of course we are best prepared for a no Brexit scenario.”
At a press conference with Michel Barnier the top eurocrat also insisted he didn’t “share the PM’s enthusiasm” at reaching the historic accord.
He said: “Let me say this to our British friends. As much as I am sad to see you leave I will do everything to make this farewell the least painful possible both for you and for us.”
The Polish eurocrat also confirmed EU leaders will call a special Brexit summit to formally rubber stamp the deal on Sunday, November 25.
Mr Barnier insisted the deal, which has been heavily criticised, was “fair and balanced” and “lays the ground for an ambitious partnership”.
But he warned: “Our work is not finished - we still have a long road ahead of us on both sides. We have no time to lose.
The Sun Says: It's no future
THE Government’s super-soft deal, as it stands, is not a viable or stable future for Britain. Nor is a second referendum that hands Remainers victory.
Britain was already staunchly eurosceptic two years ago when we voted Leave despite the onslaught of state-funded pro-Brussels propaganda.
The animosity towards Brussels is tenfold now. Even many Remainers are disgusted at the EU’s behaviour — and the capitulation inherent in our deal.
How would the nation respond if it went ahead? With rage, at the Tories and the EU whose arrogance enforced it.
The beneficiaries would be Ukip, or a party even more extreme, committed to Brexit in full. The deal would not last.
Nor would Remain winning a second vote solely through fear of a no-deal.
It would solve nothing and heal nothing. It would cause mayhem and unrest.
The anger of 17million cheated Leavers, and others who recognise a democratic outrage when they see one, would explode.
Meanwhile it emerged France and the Netherlands are pushing for more detail on how Britain will be tied to EU rules to be added into the trade framework.
Member States the political framework, which spells out the future relationship, and hope to agree it with the UK by Tuesday.
Dutch foreign minister Stef Blok vowed: “Special attention will be paid to the agreements on the level playing field and fisheries.”
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