French President Emmanuel Macron has raised fresh doubts over whether the EU would grant the UK a further Brexit delay if MPs do not approve Boris Johnson’s deal.
He told a press conference at the close of the EU summit in Brussels on Friday he wanted to “stick to” the October 31 exit deadline.
“I do not think we shall grant any further delay,” he said. “I believe it is now time to put an end to these negotiations and work on the future relationship and put an end to what is currently ongoing.”
He added:“Like I said, there shall be no delay unless there are some major changes.”
Macron’s comments are likely to help Johnson make the argument to MPs that if they do not vote for his deal on Saturday then the UK will crash out of the EU without an agreement.
With no Commons majority and the DUP dismissing his plan, the PM must appeal for support from the Tory rebels he expelled and Labour MPs wanting to avoid a no-deal departure.
Under the Benn Act, the prime minister is required to ask the EU to extend Article 50 to January 2020 if his deal is defeated.
But an extension will only happen if every one of the remaining EU27 member states agrees to it.
Leo Varadkar, the Irish prime minister, also said on Friday that while he would be open to an extension there was no option other than the deal agreed by the EU on Thursday.
“Plan B is no deal, and we’re all preparing for that, and we’ve all been preparing for that since the referendum, but let’s hope that doesn’t happen,” he said.
“I don’t think MPs voting tomorrow should make the assumption there would be unanimity for an extension,” he warned.
“Our point of view has always been that we would be open to it, but it would be a mistake to assume that it’s a guarantee, given that it requires unanimity by all 27 member states.”
In reality it is seen as highly unlikely that any EU state, even France, would veto an extension.
Angela Merkel reportedly told EU leaders Friday morning that an extension would be unavoidable if MPs voted down Johnson’s deal.