Boris Johnson presses EU to give way amid no-deal Brexit warnings

LONDON: PM Boris Johnson pushed Britain closer to a no deal exit from the European Union on Monday, insisting he will not hold Brexit talks with EU leaders unless the bloc lifts its refusal to reopen the existing divorce deal. Johnson is trying to pressure the EU to give ground by intensifying preparations for the UK to leave without a withdrawal agreement.
The EU struck a withdrawal agreement with Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, but it was rejected three times by Britain's Parliament. Johnson is insisting the bloc make major changes to May's spurned deal, including scrapping an insurance policy for the Irish border.
"The withdrawal agreement is dead, it's got to go," Johnson said on Monday as he visited a submarine base in Scotland. He said he was "very confident" of getting a new agreement, even though the EU insists it won't reopen negotiations.
Johnson has spoken to EU leaders by phone since he took office but has no meetings scheduled. His spokeswoman said he would not agree to negotiations unless the bloc lifts its refusal to change the withdrawal agreement.
^[1][2][3][4]

References

1. ^{^} Boris Johnson (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
2. ^{^} European Union (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
3. ^{^} Brexit talks (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
4. ^{^} Theresa May (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

from UK News Headlines, Latest UK News and Live Updates - Times of India https://ift.tt/2MqhcOT