Outgoing European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has boosted hopes of a Brexit deal after telling aides an 11th-hour deal with the UK would cement his legacy as the “ultimate political fixer”. However, EU leaders said last week that Mr Johnson’s proposals would not be acceptable to the EU27 in its current form. Mr Johnson’s plan involves Northern Ireland staying in the single market, but leaving the customs union, meaning checks on the border.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said these plans for Northern Ireland could not “form the basis for deeper negotiations” and EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier echoed this sentiment.

However, both said they are still hoping to secure a Brexit deal.

Mr Juncker, who is due to step down as Commission President on October 31 – the same day the UK is scheduled to leave the EU – has previously attacked the Mr Johnson’s involvement in Brexit.

In a speech to the European Parliament on July 5, 2016 he attacked Mr Johnson and Nigel Farage for leading the charge for Brexit and then apparently running from their responsibilities.

The day before Mr Farage had announced his resignation as Ukip leader and the week before Mr Johnson had dropped out of the Tory leadership race, paving the way for Theresa May to take over as Prime Minister and lead the UK’s Brexit negotiations.

Mr Johnson’s shock announcement came after Michael Gove, who had been chairing his leadership campaign, announced his own Downing Street bid.

Mr Juncker said: “All I can do is note that the bright Brexit heroes of yesterday are the sad heroes of today.

“Those who contributed to the situation in the UK have resigned.

“Johnson, Farage and others: They are retro-nationalists. They are not patriots.

“Patriots don’t resign when things get difficult, they stay.”

 Mr Juncker was informing MEPs in Strasbourg about the latest EU summit, in which David Cameron had reported to the other leaders on the UK’s vote to leave the EU. 

Mr Cameron is likely to be included in Mr Juncker’s anger towards those running away from their responsibilities – the Remain-backing Prime Minister resigned the morning after the vote, despite previously promising he would not stand down.

DON’T MISS
Italian MEP urges Barnier to IGNORE Verhofstadt and secure deal [EXCLUSIVE]
Dominic Cummings’ brilliant prophetic rant against EU constitution [REVEALED]
Why Nigel Farage claimed he became a Brexiteer 10 years ago TODAY [VIDEO]

Many tipped Mr Johnson to be his successor, but after Mr Gove’s stunt he sensationally withdrew from the race.

Nevertheless, after Theresa May’s resignation earlier this year, he beat Mr Gove and nearly a dozen other competitors to the top job.

Mr Johnson is now insisting that his number one priority is to “get Brexit done”.

In a promotional video which has racked up nearly 400,000 views on Twitter, Mr Johnson insisted his Government will do as they have promised.

He said: “We are going to restore trust in our democracy. We will fulfil the promise Parliament made to the people.

“We will get Brexit done, because getting Brexit done means we can focus on Britain’s priorities once again.”

Nevertheless, Mr Juncker’s words were later echoed by Emmanuel Macron two months before he was elected as French President.

In an interview with Monocle magazine in March 2017, Mr Macron also laid the blame for Brexit “turmoil” at the feet of Mr Johnson and Mr Farage.

He said: “Boris Johnson enjoys giving flamboyant speeches but has no strategic vision; the turmoil he created the day after Brexit proves it.

“Nigel Farage and Mr Johnson are responsible for this crime: they sailed the ship into battle and jumped overboard at the moment of crisis.”

However, EU leaders will have to swallow their pride and negotiate with Mr Johnson now if they want to secure a Brexit deal that is beneficial for the UK and the EU.

Source: Read Full Article