EU mocks Boris Johnson for his vision of Brexit ‘independence’ which involves ‘cherry picking’ bloc benefits
Former Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Jean-Claude Juncker, former president of the European Commission, and Michel Barnier, the EU's Chief Brexit Negotiator. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA. - Credit: PA
Boris Johnson has been accused of 'cherry picking' benefits of EU membership during Brexit trade negotiations, which kicked off earlier this week over videolink because of the coronavirus.
The EU has branded Boris Johnson's latest post-Brexit trade proposals on aviation, nuclear, justice and security cooperation as lacking 'recognition' of what leaving the bloc really means for Britain.
In a statement later expected on Friday, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier is set to rebuff a number proposals put forward by the UK's counterpart, David Frost. These include remaining in the EU's crime-fighting agency Europol and altering the Passenger Name Record to include people travelling by rail and sea.
You may also want to watch:
In leaked documents, EU negotiators have labelled those demands as 'not possible', stressing that UK was 'cherry picking' benefits that only member states could enjoy.
Most Read
- 1 The greatest failure of government in our lifetime
- 2 Leave EU website suspended after EU registry blocks move to Ireland
- 3 The bigot we should have called out on day one
- 4 Boris Johnson claims Labour supporters using Universal Credit vote to incite hatred
- 5 Comedian wins praise after shaming No 10 during Dancing on Ice appearance
- 6 Television drama to focus on Boris Johnson's first year in Downing Street
- 7 The polling that signals the plight of the Union
- 8 Dominic Raab 'not convinced' collapse of fishing businesses would be result of Brexit deal
- 9 Brexiteer says he'd never have voted for Brexit 'if we knew we'd lose our jobs'
- 10 Matt Hancock praises free school meals before being reminded he voted against them
Instead, the EU will demand the UK accept jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in order to remain a 'third-country' member of Europol.
Barnier weighed in on the issue earlier this month. He said: 'They [the UK] do not wish formally to commit to continuing to apply the ECHR, nor do they wish to permit the European Court of Justice to play its full role in interpreting EU law.
'This is serious. I say this is grave because if the UK's position does not move it will have an immediate and concrete effect on the level of ambition of our co-operation.'
Barnier will hold a press conference on Brexit trade negotiations later today along chief UK Brexit negotiator David Frost.
The government does not want a Brexit extension because of fears the UK may be left paying into EU schemes if it does not leave by December 31.
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.