Allowing free movement of people after Britain leaves the European Union would not keep faith with the Brexit vote, the international trade secretary said, underling divisions in the government over the issue. Liam Fox told the Sunday Times that senior government ministers had not reached a consensus on retaining free movement of people for a transitional period, a proposal outlined by finance minister Philip Hammond on Friday.
European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator has slapped down Boris Johnson over his claim that Brussels could “go whistle” if it expected large sums from Britain as part of the withdrawal agreement.
UK is already challenging Brussels over its Brexit divorce bill plans, David Davis has said as he laughed off concerns about Boris Johnson’s controversial suggestion the EU could “go whistle” if it makes “extortionate” demands.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has told MPs the European Union can go whistle for any extortionate final payment from the UK on Brexit. He added the government had no plan for what to do in the event of no deal being agreed with the EU.
Boris Johnson has told the BBC that Britain should reject any EU demands for a £50bn exit bill and follow the example of former PM Margaret Thatcher. It has been reported that EU negotiator Michel Barnier has said the UK must continue to pay into the EU until 2020.
The UK Parliament must vote on whether the government can start the Brexit process, the Supreme Court has ruled. The judgment means Prime Minister Theresa May cannot begin talks with the EU until MPs and peers give their backing - although this is expected to happen in time for the government's 31 March deadline.
By Gwynne Dyer - Today saying No is the most beautiful and glorious form of politics....Whoever doesn't understand that can go screw themselves. It could have been Donald Trump before the US election two weeks ago, or Boris Johnson during the Brext campaign in Britain last June, but it was actually Beppe Grillo, founder and leader of Italy's populist Five Star Movement.