Boris Johnson says he won’t pay Britain’s Brexit bill if he becomes prime minister – unless EU agrees to better terms

Money is a ‘great solvent and great lubricant’ in getting a good deal, former UK foreign sectary says

Leading contender to replace Theresa May also signalled he would scrap controversial provision for Irish border in current deal

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Boris Johnson speaks at a meeting at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham in October. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:51am, 9 Jun 2019Updated: 12:46pm, 24 Jul 2019

Boris Johnson, considered the front runner to succeed British Prime Minister Theresa May, said on Saturday he would refuse to pay the country’s Brexit bill until the EU agrees better withdrawal terms.

The former foreign secretary – the leading contender to replace May after her resignation as Conservative leader Friday – also signalled he would scrap a controversial provision for the Irish border contained in the current divorce deal.

“Our friends and partners need to understand that the money is going to be retained until such time as we have greater clarity about the way forward,” he told The Sunday Times.

“In getting a good deal, money is a great solvent and a great lubricant,” Johnson added, in his first newspaper interview since launching his bid to become Britain’s next premier.

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May in March 2017, signing the official letter to European Council President Donald Tusk invoking Article 50 of the bloc's key treaty, the formal start of Brexit negotiations. Photo: AP

May stepped down as Conservative Party leader on Friday and formally triggered the race for a successor – currently being contested by Johnson and 10 other members of parliament – but will remain prime minister until a new leader is chosen.