This archive report was first published on 8 July 2019.
Published on July 8, 2019, by AFP
Britain's Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has urged the European Union to reopen the withdrawal agreement, warning of a 'disruptive' no-deal Brexit in October.
Speaking in London, Barclay said the EU must reconsider the deal agreed by outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May and EU leaders last year, which British lawmakers have rejected three times.
"We do need to look at it again," Barclay said, adding that it was in both sides' interest to avoid a no-deal Brexit and find a way to get the deal through parliament.
Barclay's comments come ahead of fresh talks with EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels, which has insisted it will not reopen the accord reached with May.
The pair last met in March, with the issue of citizens' rights in a no-deal scenario set to be discussed at Tuesday's meeting.
Barclay insisted that Britain needs to leave the EU on the latest deadline of October 31, after May twice delayed departure amid MPs' opposition to her divorce deal.
Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson is the frontrunner to replace May as Conservative Party leader, who will almost certainly become prime minister later this month.
Both Johnson and his opponent Jeremy Hunt have vowed to take Britain out of the EU with or without a deal.
