Brexit Party MEP says it’s better to Remain than to leave under Boris Johnson’s plan

Ben Habib, former Brexit Party MEP, on Sky News - Credit: Sky News

Brexit Party MEP Ben Habib says he would rather see the UK remain in the European Union than leave under the current Brexit deal.

Habib said he sees Boris Johnson’s withdrawal agreement as “much worse” than remaining in the EU.

Speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sky News he explained: “What we really need to do is get the Prime Minister to pivot away from the withdrawal agreement.”

Habib added: “I see the withdrawal agreement as much worse than Remain, frankly.”

He said under Johnson’s deal Northern Ireland will be left “bereft”.

Asked if it is the official Brexit Party position that remaining in the EU is better than the prime minister’s deal, he continued: “That may or may not be our position. That’s certainly my view.

Habib said that “with the benefit of hindsight” his party maybe should not have pulled 317 candidates from the general election.

“Well I think with the benefit of hindsight maybe we shouldn’t have stood 317 candidates down, with the benefit of hindsight, because the Tories haven’t responded positively to it.

“They haven’t stood down and assured a proper Leave mandate in parliament”, adding that he will be surprised is his party does not win “at least five” seats.

Habib said he is “torn” over how to vote in his own constituency of Chelsea and Fulham where there is no Brexit Party candidate, but said he “may” vote for Tory Greg Hands or alternatively spoil his ballot paper.