Lydia Spencer-Elliott
BREXIT negotiations will continue with the EU but prime minister Boris Johnson has accused Brussels of failing to engage in latest talks.
Johnson told the UK, in a TV clip released on Friday October 16, to prepare for a no-deal Brexit after the transition period ends on December 31.
Negotiations have failed to make progress on key points, such as fish quotas.
“From the outset we were totally clear that we wanted nothing more complicated that a Canada-style relationship based on friendship and free trade,” said Johnson.
“Given that they have refused to negotiate seriously for much of the last few months and given that this summit appears to rule out a Canada-style deal, I have concluded that we should get ready for January 1 with arrangements that are more like Australia’s, based on simple principles of global free trade,” he continued.
According to the PM, Britain will be prepared to continue to negotiate and listen should there be ‘fundamental change’ in the EU’s approach.
Johnson hinted he would be prepared to come to agreements on issues including nuclear cooperation and social security.
After the video clip of Johnson was released, an EU official responded that if there was no deal in the next two or three weeks then they would ‘seriously start preparing for a no-deal scenario’.
