'We've been VERY clear' Barnier told to give up on off-the-shelf Brexit deal by Tory MEP
MICHEL BARNIER has been told to forget handing an off-the-shelf Brexit deal to the UK as the country leaves the European Union.
Ashley Fox MEP: We can be more ambitious than Canada
Mr Barnier, the European Commission’s chief Brexit negotiator, offered a stern warning to Theresa May and David Davis, insisting the “time had come” for the UK to reveal its exit demands.
Mr Davis said the UK’s position has been “perfectly clear”.
The Brexit Secretary said: “There’s no doubt about it. We are leaving the customs union but we are aiming or a good future for Britain.”
We want a comprehensive free trade agreement, I think that’s been very, very clear
Ashley Fox, the leader of the Conservative party delegation in the European Parliament, hit back at Mr Barnier, declaring the UK has been “very clear” in what it wants from Brexit.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, he said: “I think the Prime Minister has made it quite clear, she said we want a deep and special partnership, and that includes trade – on trade, in particular, we want tariff-free access for goods, including agricultural products and manufacturing, and services, including financial services.
“We want a comprehensive free trade agreement, I think that’s been very, very clear.”
Michel Barnier: EU needs clarity from the UK
Mr Fox proceeded to brand the European Commission “rigid” in its approach to Brexit negations, warning an off-the-shelf deal will not be sufficient.
He said neither a Canada or Norway-style deal will work in line with the Prime Minister’s Brexit red lines.
Mr Conservative MEP said: “I think the Commission, at the moment, are taking a very rigid approach.
“It would like us to opt for either the Norway approach or the Canada approach.
“As far as Norway is concerned, that mean’s we would have to obey the European Court of Justice, we’d have to allow free movement of people and we’d have to contribute to the budget – the Prime Minister has said that’s not acceptable.
“Now, Canada is a free trade agreement, which covers goods but not that much on services. It’s ok, but we can be so much more ambitious than Canada.”