‘We should honour our obligations’ Shadow Brexit Secretary says UK SHOULD pay divorce bill
KEIR STARMER has urged the UK to pay an EU divorce bill as part of Brexit negotiations, which could be as high as £52 billion.
Keir Starmer: UK is a country that honours its obligations
The Shadow Brexit Secretary stated Theresa May should be “loud and clear” that Britain meets its international duties and this includes paying a potential hefty bill.
Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show, the Labour MP said there should be “transitional arrangements” from March 2019 until the right relationship with the Brussels bloc was secured.
Marr asked: “You accept that we would have to pay a fairly hefty bill. Let’s not talk about numbers, but a fairly hefty bill in return for getting free access to the single market.”
The MP for Holborn and St Pancras replied the UK should send a positive message out that it “complies with international obligations”.
Sir Keir said the UK should "honour its obligations" and pay an EU divorce bill
I think we should say loud and clear we’re a country that honours our obligations
He said: “I think the Prime Minister should say loud and clear we are a country that complies with our international obligations and when a figure is arrived at, that is a figure that the UK as an international country would pay.
“Well, as I say, there will be principles, there will be a bill and I think we should say loud and clear we’re a country that honours our obligations.
“Now, how much and over what period is to be negotiated. I’m very strongly of the view that there ought to be transitional arrangements from March 2019 until we reach and conclude the strong collaborative relationship that we need, so that can be paid over a longer period if we get the right relationship.”
Although the EU’s most senior servant has not put a figure on how much the UK would be forced to cough up, he has previously claimed it would be "hefty".
Some reports suggest the amount could be as high as £52million, but the stark sum is not a “punishment”, according to Jean-Claude Juncker.
The European Commission President said it would will cover projects the UK has already signed up for, including pensions for European Union officials.
Speaking to the BBC, he said: “It will be a bill reflecting former commitments by the British Government and by the British Parliament.”