Boris Johnson branded ‘bully’ by Angela Merkel’s MP over £39bn no deal threat
BORIS JOHNSON has been accused of failing to “reach out to country and continent” and of being a “bully” by a member of Angela Merkel’s party.
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Norbert Rottgen, a German MP member of Ms Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) launched a scathing attack against Mr Johnson. Speaking directly to the newly-appointed Prime Minister, Mr Rottgen wrote on Twitter: “Dear Boris Johnson: Neither boastful speeches nor bullying will succeed in making us give up #EU principles and unity.
Will stay cool instead. Sadly, both in words and deeds - has appointed a cabinet of #Brexiteers - #Johnson fails to reach out to country and continent. #Brexit.”
The message was met with anger by many British Brexiteers, with one arguing the EU will be deemed “responsible” for the consequences coming if the parts failed to strike a free trade agreement (FTA).
They wrote: “We don’t care what you do.
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“We’re leaving on 31.10 and if you won’t agree an FTA you’ll be responsible for the consequences.”
Another branded the EU an expert in bullying, saying: “The EU should know all about bullying it is what they do best. our will, will not be broken if the EU can not negotiate fairly Boris will take us out on NO deal.”
A third argued the Prime Minister is simply delivering on the will of the people, saying: “I know what a shock.
“Imagine a leader having people working for him that will deliver what the people want and voted for.”
And another simply claimed the MP sounded “scared”, in a sign the EU is realising Mr Johnson is serious about his “do or die” Brexit strategy.
They said: “You sound scared, good.”
This comes after Mr Johnson has threatened during his first full day in office to use the £39billion divorce bill to be given to the European Union to prepare for a no deal Brexit.
The Prime Minister signalled he wants to thrash out a new exit agreement with Brussels without the controversial backstop.
But, after pledging he wants to sit at the negotiating table “in the spirit of friendship”, Mr Johnson warned the EU would not received its divorce fee if the parts failed to find an agreement.
He said: “In the 98 days that remain to us, we must turbo-charge our preparations for no-deal to make sure that there is as little disruption as possible to our national life.
“In these circumstances we would, of course, also have available the £39billion in the withdrawal agreement to help deal with any consequences.”
Mr Johnson also invited EU leaders to meet him and Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay for talks “whenever they are ready to do so”.
But the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has already dismissed the possibility of eliminating the backstop from any Brexit deal, further pushing the UK towards a no deal exit.
He said: “Prime Minister Johnson has stated that if an agreement is to be reached, it goes by way of eliminating the backstop.
“This is, of course, unacceptable and not within the mandate of the European Council.”