Prime Minister Boris Johnson is drawing up plans to renege on the UK’s Brexit deal on Northern Irish border checks. In a move that threatens to collapse the Brexit trade talks as they enter a crucial final phase, Downing Street is publishing legislation to override agreements it has already made on Northern Ireland. In an attempt to put pressure on the EU to concede to Britain’s demands on fishing rights and state aid, Mr Johnson is also to issue an ultimatum.
Today, he is expected to say that no deal would be a “good outcome” for Britain and set the October deadline.
He will add: “If we can’t agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us and we should both accept that and move on.”
In an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, Australian Liberal Senator Eric Abetz welcomed the news, expressing support for Mr Johnson’s Brexit strategy.
He said: “When the Brexit idea came up, I was quite excited.
“I saw some really great advantages for the UK and Commonwealth of nations.
“I am one of those people who believes the best way of government is when people can decide their own fate.
“Clearly, the EU was becoming very stifling.”
He added: “I think the negotiations from the UK point of view have been good and robust.
“The EU, I think, is somewhat dogmatic.
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Mr Abetz concluded: “I just hope Boris Johnson sees that if there is no deal, then there is no deal and we’ll go ahead with Brexit without a deal.
“Let’s see what the consequences are…
“But it seems a matter of regret as the EU is supposed to be a cooperative organisation and voluntary.
“It should be as easy to get into the EU as it is to get back out, but what they are clearly showing is that they are not letting countries exercising that right.”