BORIS Johnson has told EU leaders not to listen to the “very wrong messages” put about by MPs seeking to block Brexit, insisting that Britain’s departure from the EU cannot now be stopped.
One senior UK official made clear at the G7 summit in Biarritz: “Politicians don’t get to choose which public votes they respect.”
He explained: “The Prime Minister has been very clear to European leaders that he’s seen in the last week that the idea that Brexit can be stopped is incorrect, and we are leaving on October 31.
“He thinks EU leaders should not be listening to the very wrong messages emerging from some parliamentarians, who think that they will stop Brexit.”
The message came as opposition party leaders prepare to meet at Westminster tomorrow to see how they can use the UK Parliament to stop a no-deal Brexit on October 31.
There is a division of opinion as to the best way to do this. Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, still believes he can win a Commons majority in a no-confidence vote to bring the Johnson Government down and force a general election. Others like the SNP’s Ian Blackford believe MPs seizing control of the parliamentary agenda and pass a bill to delay Brexit, as they did in spring, is the best way forward.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon: ‘Reckless’ PM ‘making it up as he goes along’ on Brexit
Jo Swinson for the Liberal Democrats has told Mr Corbyn that the opposition forces “cannot allow party politics to stand in the way of finding a solution that works to prevent the national crisis approaching us”.
Meanwhile, senior figures in Brussels have warned Mr Johnson – who met a string of fellow leaders at the G7 today - that failing to pay the £39 billion divorce bill – as he has warned in the event of a no-deal outcome - would damage relations between the UK and the EU and jeopardise future trade talks.
The PM claimed a no-deal outcome would mean the "£39 billion is no longer legally pledged" to the EU.
But officials in Brussels said the UK must honour commitments made during its EU membership and pointedly said that "settling accounts is essential to starting off a new relationship on the right foot".
Mina Andreeva, the European Commission spokeswoman, said: "All commitments that were taken by the 28 member states should be honoured and this is also and especially true in a no-deal scenario where the UK would be expected to continue to honour all commitments made during EU membership.
"Rather than going now into a judicial action threat, it is important to make clear that settling accounts is essential to starting off a new relationship on the right foot based on mutual trust.
READ MORE: Gordon Brown: The Scottish Parliament has failed to deliver a fairer Scotland
"I would also say that as far as I understand this issue has not been raised with the EU side, for the time being, officially," she added.
Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament's Brexit co-ordinator, said: "If the UK doesn't pay what is due, the EU will not negotiate a trade deal.
"After a 'no deal', this will be a first condition of any talks. Britain is better than this," he declared.
Mr Johnson said on Sunday that there would be "very substantial sums" available from the £39bn to spend on domestic priorities if there was a no-deal Brexit.
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