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Brexit negotiations: European Parliament says sufficient progress not made as it urges EU leaders to delay next phase of talks | Brexit negotiations: European Parliament says sufficient progress not made as it urges EU leaders to delay next phase of talks |
(35 minutes later) | |
MEPs have delivered a blow to Theresa May by demanding talks on a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU are delayed because of Britain’s confused stance. | MEPs have delivered a blow to Theresa May by demanding talks on a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU are delayed because of Britain’s confused stance. |
The European Parliament overwhelmingly passed a motion warning that “sufficient progress has not yet been made” on first agreeing the divorce deal. | The European Parliament overwhelmingly passed a motion warning that “sufficient progress has not yet been made” on first agreeing the divorce deal. |
EU leaders have insisted Britain must first move to settle three key separation issues; the financial settlement, the future rights of EU citizens and the Irish border. | EU leaders have insisted Britain must first move to settle three key separation issues; the financial settlement, the future rights of EU citizens and the Irish border. |
But the motion – passed unamended - instead accused the UK of having “seriously impeded” talks over the so-called divorce bill because of a lack of “clear proposals”. | But the motion – passed unamended - instead accused the UK of having “seriously impeded” talks over the so-called divorce bill because of a lack of “clear proposals”. |
The resolution was backed by 557 MEPs sitting in Strasbourg, with just 92 voting against and 29 abstentions. | The resolution was backed by 557 MEPs sitting in Strasbourg, with just 92 voting against and 29 abstentions. |
Only a “major breakthrough” should see the EU council of ministers agree to move onto the second phase of the talks – future trade – at a summit later this month, it said. | Only a “major breakthrough” should see the EU council of ministers agree to move onto the second phase of the talks – future trade – at a summit later this month, it said. |
The vote in Strasbourg is not binding, but the views of MEPs are crucial because they have a veto over any final Brexit agreement. | The vote in Strasbourg is not binding, but the views of MEPs are crucial because they have a veto over any final Brexit agreement. |
It represents a setback for the Prime Minister, who hoped her speech in Florence – promising to plug any hole in the EU budget, until 2020 – would break the stalemate. | It represents a setback for the Prime Minister, who hoped her speech in Florence – promising to plug any hole in the EU budget, until 2020 – would break the stalemate. |
During the debate, a senior MEP warned Ms May that Boris Johnson must be sacked if she wanted to prevent the Brexit negotiations breaking down. | |
Manfred Weber, a key ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said the Foreign Secretary’s interventions left the Government “trapped by their own party quarrels and political contradictions”. | Manfred Weber, a key ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said the Foreign Secretary’s interventions left the Government “trapped by their own party quarrels and political contradictions”. |
“Please sack Johnson because we need a clear answer who is responsible for the British position,” said the leader of the centre-right EPP grouping in the European Parliament. | “Please sack Johnson because we need a clear answer who is responsible for the British position,” said the leader of the centre-right EPP grouping in the European Parliament. |
“Who do I call in London - Theresa May, Boris Johnson or David Davis? Please don't put your party first. We need a clear answer who is responsible for the British position.” | “Who do I call in London - Theresa May, Boris Johnson or David Davis? Please don't put your party first. We need a clear answer who is responsible for the British position.” |
The warning was echoed by Guy Verhofstadt, the Parliament's Brexit co-ordinator, who said Cabinet splits were blocking progress in the exit talks. | The warning was echoed by Guy Verhofstadt, the Parliament's Brexit co-ordinator, who said Cabinet splits were blocking progress in the exit talks. |
“There is a lack of clarity, there is even disunity. There are oppositions between Hammond and Fox. There are divisions between Johnson and May,” Mr Verhofstadt said. | “There is a lack of clarity, there is even disunity. There are oppositions between Hammond and Fox. There are divisions between Johnson and May,” Mr Verhofstadt said. |
MEPs made clear they will veto any deal unless Britain continues to accept European Court of Justice (ECJ) rulings during any implementation period. | |
“Such a transitional period can only be envisaged under the full jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union,” the motion said – and if other withdrawal issues are “concluded”. | |
However, ending the jurisdiction of the court immediately at the point of Brexit was one of the four red lines set out by the Foreign Secretary over the weekend. | |
He also demanded that no new EU directives or regulations should apply to Britain after Brexit and that the UK should not pay, or accept EU rules, to gain long-term access to the single market. | |
Some senior Tories believe that Mr Johnson is deliberately attempting to set Mrs May up to fail by making demands that Brussels will never agree to. | |
MEPs passed the resolution, drawn up by the Parliament’s Brexit Steering Group, following a debate on Tuesday morning with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and chief negotiator Michel Barnier. |