Brexit trap: Andrew Bridgen warns of Brussels plot to force UK into long EU exit extension
BREXITEER Andrew Bridgen warned that the EU may force the UK to agree to a long Brexit extension with the help of the Benn Act.
Brexit: Andrew Bridgen on how EU could 'force' an extension
This week on Express.co.uk’s Brexit: The Final Countdown podcast host Rebecca Hutson was joined by Daily Express Senior Political correspondent Martyn Brown and Tory MP Andrew Bridgen. Leave supporter Andrew Bridgen warned that if Brexit talks continue to break down the EU may force the UK into an extension long after January 31 2020. Mr Bridgen insisted that the Government would attempt to go for a no deal if a Brexit agreement cannot be reached but the Benn Act has made it difficult for Boris Johnson to operate.
The Conservative Brexiteer said: “The fact that the EU has now more or less formally rejected the deal, we have still got a lifeline to a deal with Leo Varadkar meeting with Boris Johnson.
“Anything could still happen and you will be aware that we have now been told that Parliament will be sitting on Saturday the 19th October for the first time in 37 years.
“So something is going to be happening one way or another when Boris comes back from the European Council meeting.”
The Brexit The Final Countdown host then questioned the Tory MP on whether there was any truth to the rumours that the Prime Minister would boycott the summit.
Mr Bridgen replied: “I think he will probably go.
“If he is boycotting it that means the hope of having any sort of deal at all is dead and buried.
“Then we will be going back to a no deal Brexit.”
The podcast host questioned whether the Government would definitely push for a no deal Brexit rather than an extension.
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The Brexiteer answered: “If the EU genuinely thought they could fall back on a 100 percent guaranteed on the surrender bill, the so-called Benn Act and that we would be forced to go for an extension there would be no way at all they would be talking with us now.
“The EU would be so confident that they are going to get their extension.
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“I think if we end up in that situation, it is not going to be a short extension.
“It won’t be the 31st of January, the EU will use the fact that if they don’t offer the 31st of January under the Benn Act they could offer another date and the Prime Minister will be obliged within 48 hours to accept it.
“This occurs if the Benn Act is watertight and sound.”