Germany told Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt today that the withdrawal agreement will not be changed, fuelling fears of a no-deal crash-out from the EU.
Peter Wittig, Germany’s ambassador to the UK, was adamant that the 599-page “divorce” document — including the Northern Ireland border backstop — will not be ripped up.
“Once there is a new prime minister in this country we will explore the new ideas that are being presented but … the withdrawal agreement will stand as it is,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today.
Both Mr Johnson and Mr Hunt want changes to the agreement, particularly on the backstop, for it to have a chance to get through Parliament, having been rejected by MPs three times already.
Leadership frontrunner Mr Johnson faces the challenge of reshaping the Brexit agreement by October 31, the date he has set for Britain to quit with or without a deal, given that the new European Commission will only take office on November 1.
EU leaders agreed yesterday to fill top European jobs after weeks of horse-trading.
German defence minister Ursula von der Leyen, who studied at the London School of Economics, has been nominated as European Commission president to replace Jean-Claude Juncker.
Her stance on Brexit is likely to be against forcing the UK out with no deal. “She will be a voice of pragmatism”, said Mr Wittig.
Philip Hammond told the Commons yesterday a disruptive no deal would cost £90 billion.
