Verhofstadt slams Johnson’s ‘bluster and political blame games’ on the backstop
Guy Verhofstadt has called Boris Johnson out on his 'bluster' on the backstop: Brian Lawless/PA Images / Foreign and Commonwealth Office - Credit: Brian Lawless/PA Images / Foreig
The European Parliament's Brexit coordinator has tweeted a withering response to Boris Johnson's latest attempts to get the EU to drop the Irish backstop from the Withdrawal Agreement.
The prime minister has written to Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, demanding that they agree an alternative.
But Guy Verhofstadt said he does not see any majority in EU parliament for this and that time is running out for "bluster and political blame games".
He tweeted: "I don't see any majority in the [European Parliament] to remove the backstop from the Withdrawal Agreement. It is a vital insurance policy, negotiated in good faith & supported by the people of the Island of Ireland. The time for bluster & political blame games is fast running out."
Johnson has been depending on the threat of a "do or die" no-deal Brexit to leverage the EU into conceding changes to the agreement.
You may also want to watch:
He was criticised for accusing pro-EU MPs of emboldening the EU in an anti-Brexit "collaboration", effectively blaming Remain MPs for the possibility a no-deal Brexit.
WATCH: Johnson accuses Remain MPs of 'collaboration' with the EU to stop BrexitTusk has already responded to Johnson's demands, saying the prime minister had not provided a "legal operational solution" to prevent the return of a hard border, adding: "Those against the backstop and not proposing realistic alternatives in fact support reestablishing a border. Even if they do not admit it."
MORE: Donald Tusk surprises no-one by rejecting Boris Johnson's latest demands
Most Read
- 1 The bigot we should have called out on day one
- 2 Nigel Farage launches new party in Scotland to promote 'positive case for the Union'
- 3 The greatest failure of government in our lifetime
- 4 Matt Hancock praises free school meals before being reminded he voted against them
- 5 Brexit changes lead to exodus of Brits from Spain, UK nationals claim
- 6 James O'Brien schools Brexiteer who refuses to accept new EU-UK trade rules
- 7 Brexiteer rebuked after backing Nigel Farage's 'East Germany' claims
- 8 Brexiteer MP ridiculed after calling for free movement of goods between GB and NI
- 9 Tory candidate suspended by party over comments about ‘fat’ food bank user
- 10 No 10 defends Stanley Johnson receiving two coronavirus vaccines while others don't
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.
