This archive report was first published on 7 October 2019.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made it clear that he will not delay Brexit beyond October 31, despite British lawmakers passing a law requiring him to seek another delay if no deal is reached.
Johnson made this warning to the European Union on Sunday, October 6, 2019, in a telephone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.
According to a Downing Street spokesman, Johnson told Macron that "the EU should not be lured into the mistaken belief that the UK will stay in the EU after October 31st".
Johnson's warning comes as European leaders have reacted tepidly to London's latest Brexit proposals, which centre on how to manage the post-Brexit border between Northern Ireland and the EU member Ireland.
Johnson wants Northern Ireland's devolved assembly to vote every four years on whether to maintain EU rather than British regulations there, and has proposed that the province leaves the EU's customs union along with the rest of the UK.
However, Brussels has said the plans "do not provide a basis for concluding an agreement", citing concerns over rampant smuggling and the potential for hardline Northern Irish unionists to have an effective veto.
Despite these concerns, Johnson remains committed to leaving the EU on October 31, with or without a deal.
