'No changes to Irish backstop', Barnier warns UK
EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned the UK on Wednesday there would be no changes to the Irish backstop in the withdrawal agreement.
Speaking to European Parliament members a day after UK Prime Minister Theresa May's historic and humiliating defeat in the House of Commons, Barnier insisted the deal rejected by British MPs was “the best possible compromise”.
"The agreement that we reached with the British government is a good agreement,” he added.
Barnier said Tuesday's comprehensive rejection of May's deal provided no guidance on what the UK wanted to happen next.
“This vote is not a clear manifestation of a positive majority which would define an alternative project,” Barnier said.
“It is up to the British authorities today or tomorrow to assess the outcome of this vote and up to the British Government to indicate how we are going to take things forward on March 29 to an orderly withdrawal.”
"Protecting the rights of citizens will continue to be the priority whatever the outcome. The backstop must remain a credible backstop."
“If the UK chooses to shift its red lines in the future, and if it makes the choice to be more ambitious, to go beyond the free trade agreement then the EU will be immediately ready to go hand in hand with that development and give a favourable response,” he said.
The contentious backstop arrangement is an insurance policy to avoid a hard border with Ireland if no trade deal is reached with the EU. If triggered, it would force the UK into a customs union, the notion of which send Brexiteers into apoplexy.
Speculation was growing in Brussels and London that there could be a delay to Article 50, the mechanism under which the UK would leave the 28-member bloc.
German economy minister Peter Altmaier, said the idea should be considered.
“When parliament needs more time, then this is something that will have to be considered by the European Council, and personally I would see that as a reasonable request,” he told the BBC.
May will first have to defeat a vote of no confidence in her government tabled by the Labour opposition. A vote will take place at 1900 GMT.