Video
‘We need a deal!’ - Farage u-turns on claims about no-deal Brexit
Nigel Farage urges the EU to avoid a 'no deal' Brexit. Photograph: EU Parliament. - Credit: Archant
Nigel Farage appears to be maneuvering away from the possibility of a no-deal Brexit - urging the EU to renegotiate with the UK.
Speaking in the European Parliament he warned that there was now a 'strong chance' of the UK leaving on World Trade Organisation rules with a 'no deal'.
However he told Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, that we now need a deal and that we need to renegotiate.
Farage said: 'Mr Barnier, you say this is the only possible deal, but this deal isn't going to be accepted.
MORE: Nigel Farage booed and jeered at British Curry Awards
'So perhaps we all need to grow up and recognise there is a strong chance of the UK leaving on March 29th with a WTO 'no deal'.'
You may also want to watch:
'We need a negotiated deal to deal with sensible border issues.'
'I wonder Mr Barnier, are you prepared for that? Because this morning you appear to assume the UK parliament is going to ratify this - it isn't.'
Most Read
- 1 Boris Johnson proposes saving United Kingdom with 'Project Love' plan
- 2 The only Brexit export boom is from UK businesses rushing to Europe
- 3 Russell Kane: Why working class people like Boris Johnson
- 4 Former Brexit secretary 'privately agreed' with Gina Miller's court action over Article 50
- 5 The stench of scandal seeping out from Britain
- 6 PRINCE PHILIP: Why this Danish, Greek, German immigrant epitomised Britain
- 7 Is Volkswagen about to give Tesla a shock?
- 8 How the vaccines have shifted opinions over Brexit
- 9 Government loses bid to block financial services bill amendment in House of Lords
- 10 MEPs again refuse to ratify Brexit deal amid concerns No 10 is flouting conditions
It appears to be a u-turn on Farage's previous comments in which he claimed no-deal was 'no problem'.
MORE: Brexiteer: Crashing out of the EU wouldn't be our fault
He told a Leave Means Leave rally in October: 'We will explain a free trade deal is possible, if that's what the gangsters in Brussels want.
'If they don't, that is fine, if they don't we will leave with no deal. No deal, no problem.'
Farage also used his speech to grovel to Barnier - paying tribute to him for securing a deal that benefited the EU.
He said: 'I wish you were on our side because it's game, set and match to you.
'You probably can't believe your luck that you have come up against a British prime minister who met every single demand all while, at the same time, trying to deceive the British public.'
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.
