Public thinks Boris Johnson is lying about Brexit deal progress as EU says he is ‘pretending to negotiate’
European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker speaks while European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, right, looks on. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias) - Credit: AP
A majority of the British public dispute claims from Boris Johnson's government that it is making progress towards a Brexit deal.
Johnson had told the Mail on Sunday there were "real signs of movement" on getting rid of the backstop, the persistent stumbling block to a Brexit agreement.
He said: "A huge amount of progress is being made."
But EU chiefs have slammed the prime minister claiming that he was "pretending to negotiate".
The EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, told the European parliament: "I don't think we should be spending time pretending to negotiate."
You may also want to watch:
Jean-Claude Juncker meanwhile said that there must be "operational proposals in writing" from the UK side, which has still not been provided.
Johnson's claims appear not to have convinced the public with a new YouGov poll finding a majority (55%) believe that no progress is being made towards a new Brexit deal.
Most Read
- 1 Tory MP blames 'chaotic parents' for children going to school hungry
- 2 Boris Johnson 'hid in bedroom' to avoid grilling on Brexit stance days before becoming PM
- 3 Danny Dyer praised for criticisms of Tory party - pointing out Etonians can't run the country
- 4 UKIP set to select 'Dr Gammons' as candidate for London mayoral election
- 5 Boris Johnson warned majority will be 'wiped out' over treatment towards north of England
- 6 Third Tory MP who rejected extending free school meals is targeted with local protests
- 7 Piers Morgan calls Boris Johnson a 'blustering buffoon' in attack on PM's handling of Covid-19 pandemic
- 8 Boris Johnson 'frantically repositioning' himself for Donald Trump to lose election
- 9 Liz Truss' department slammed for false claim about cost of soy sauce after Brexit
- 10 George Osborne says it is 'game over' for Boris Johnson over free school meals
Only 11% think a great or moderate amount of progress has been made - with just 19% of Leave voters believing it to be the case.
It suggests the public believe the prime minister is lying about his claims.
A majority of 52% also believe that Johnson does not really think a deal can be achieved, with just 23% believing he thinks a deal is likely.
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
