BORIS Johnson has tonight warned a no deal Brexit is “very possible” except Brussels backs down on its “unreasonable” calls for over fishing.
The PM and EU Fee President Ursula von der Leyen spoke throughout an eleventh hour cellphone name this night.
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Boris Johnson has tonight warned Brits to count on a No Deal Brexit if the EU does not budge on fisheries Credit score: Crown Copyright
He spoke to EU Fee President Ursula von der Leyen this nightCredit score: AFP or licensors
And Mr Johnson says negotiations are in a “critical state of affairs”.
In an announcement launched after the decision, he says it now looks “very likely” that an agreement would not be reached except the EU’s place considerably modifications on fishing.
He added that if a deal couldn’t be struck the UK would depart the EU “as mates”, however buying and selling on Australian-style phrases.
Nonetheless, an announcement launched by Ms von der Leyen is extra optimistic.
She stated “substantial progress has been made” – however admitted it will likely be “very difficult” to beat the difficulties confronted by negotiators.
Each side now appear more likely to take talks all the way down to the wire.
In an announcement launched on Twitter following the decision with Mr Johnson, Ms von der Leyen stated: “We welcomed substantial progress on many points.
“But massive variations stay to be bridged, specifically on fisheries.
“Bridging them might be very difficult.”
In the meantime, a Downing Road spokesperson stated: “The Prime Minister spoke to Fee President Ursula von der Leyen this night concerning the state of play within the UK and EU negotiations.
Motorists in Kent are going through site visitors nightmares as HGVs queue for the port. The M20 is at the moment closed coastbound at J13 to permit for freight site visitors administration forward of Brexit Credit score: (c) UkNewsinPictures
A person walks previous a billboard in Brussels right now Credit score: REUTERS
Michael Gove answered questions earlier than the Future Relationship with the European Union Choose Committee right nowCredit score: PA:Press Affiliation
“The Prime Minister underlined that the negotiations had been now in a critical state of affairs.
“Time was very brief and it now seemed very possible that settlement wouldn’t be reached except the EU place modified considerably.
“The Prime Minister repeated that little time was left.
“He stated that, if no settlement might be reached, the UK and the EU would part as friends, with the UK buying and selling with the EU on Australian-style phrases.
“The leaders agreed to stay in shut contact.”
The spokesperson stated the UK “couldn’t settle for a state of affairs the place it was the one sovereign nation on this planet not to have the ability to management entry to its personal waters for an prolonged interval”.
It comes as minister Michael Gove today said the chances of a deal before Sunday are “less than 50 per cent”.
As commerce talks hurtle into the ultimate days, the Cupboard Workplace minister stated it was nonetheless extra possible that there might be a No Deal, regardless of Michel Barnier insisting there had been “good progress”.
Giving proof to the Commons Brexit Committee, Mr Gove stated the “most certainly consequence” was that the present transition interval would finish on December 31 with out a deal.
He warned: “I feel, regrettably, the probabilities are extra possible that we can’t safe an settlement. So in the intervening time lower than 50 per cent.”
Michel Barnier arrives for talks in Brussels Credit score: REUTERS
He was joined by his UK counterpart David FrostCredit score: EPA
And the PM now says the EU’s position is “simply not reasonable” and should “shift considerably” if an settlement is to be reached.
Negotiators have additionally butted heads on the extent taking part in area. EU chiefs need assurances the UK will not undercut European enterprise by rolling out decrease environmental requirements and rules.
In a tweet, the UK’s chief negotiator David Frost stated: “The state of affairs in our talks with the EU may be very critical tonight.
“Progress appears blocked and time is operating out.
“The Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out his considerations concerning the state of play to Fee President Ursual von der Leyen this night.”
Stress has been ratcheted up by European Parliament chiefs, who’ve set a deadline of this weekend for an settlement to be in place.
They warned that if a deal was to be finalised previous that time, it might not permit sufficient time for MEPs to correctly scrutinise it earlier than the tip of the ‘standstill’ transition interval on December 31.
This morning, they stated that they won’t vote on the Brexit deal earlier than the tip of the 12 months if they can’t entry its textual content by the tip of the weekend.
Mr Barnier tweeted right now: “Good progress, however final hindrances stay.
“We’ll solely signal a deal defending EU pursuits & rules.”
Any deal agreed by the UK and the EU must be voted on and permitted by each the British Parliament and the European Parliament earlier than it may be rolled out.
MPs are attributable to break for Christmas from this night however Downing Road has stated they are going to be recalled at 48 hours’ discover ought to a deal be agreed.
