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The leading Brexit expert Anand Menon definitively ruled out any last-minute plot to stop a no deal Brexit, saying that Remainers were powerless to stop Boris Johnson ditching talks with Brussels. This incredible claim comes as the UK continues to rule out demands to extend Brexit trade talks beyond the end of this year. Brussels’ lead negotiator Michel Barnier said he was open to delaying the end of the post-Brexit transition phase by up to two years.

However, UK chief negotiator David Frost swiftly fired back at Mr Barnier’s offer, insisting the Government would not agree to a delay.

He told MPs this week that ending the application of EU law by the end of the year was essential to avoid “significant” additional payments to Brussels.

Mr Frost added: “If you’re asking do we think the EU needs to evolve its position to reach an agreement, yes, we do.”

Mr Barnier’s offer of an extension to the talks came in a letter to Westminster opposition parties.

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The parties, led by the SNP, had requested a delay to avoid the UK leaving EU rules without a deal. 

In his response letter, Mr Barnier confirmed: “Such an extension of up to one or two years can be agreed jointly by the two parties.”

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford tweeted after Mr Barnier’s offer: “It would be madness to pile a Brexit crisis on top of the coronavirus crisis we already face – with unemployment soaring, businesses shedding jobs, and many struggling to survive.

“Time is running out. If the Prime Minister fails to agree an extension he will be responsible for every job lost, every income slashed, and every business that goes under as a result of his bad Brexit deal.”

The Institute for Government’s Jill Rutter questioned Mr Menon on whether Remainers, like the SNP, could again block attempts to leave EU rules.

She asked: “Can a no deal Brexit be stopped? We saw Parliament frustrating no deal Brexit last year.

“Is that now for the birds or are there circumstances where a no deal Brexit could be stopped?”

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Mr Menon told the virtual meeting of the think tank The UK in a Changing Europe: “I find it hard to see that happening with a Tory majority in Parliament of 80 MPs.

“The one thing Tory MPs have taken the pledge on is Brexit. They might argue about Dominic Cummings. They might argue about who pays the burden of taxation in a post-COVID recovery.

“But I don’t think anyone in the parliamentary Conservative Party will start arguing about Brexit.

“They have all implicitly signed up to the fact that if there is no deal, there will be no deal – even if it doesn’t fill their hearts with joy. No chance whatsoever to be honest.”

Boris Johnson will take part in talks next month on the Brexit deal with the EU, according to Mr Frost. 

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