Johnson warns EU leaders he will not delay Brexit, as prospects of deal before October 31 fade

The British PM told French leader Emmanuel Macron not to be lulled into the mistaken belief that the UK will still be part of the EU after October 31

But EU leaders have cast doubt on reaching an agreement before the deadline

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Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:11pm, 7 Oct 2019Updated: 10:46pm, 7 Oct 2019

Prospects of a Brexit deal have faded after talks between the two sides stalled and European leaders cast doubt on reaching an agreement ahead of the October 31 deadline.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar both signalled they want progress by Friday, adding to a sense that time is running out for the two sides to come together.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, for his part, struck a defiant tone on Sunday, saying the UK will leave the European Union as planned on Halloween, regardless of whether the EU accepts his latest offer. He told Macron by phone that the EU should not be “lured into the mistaken belief that the UK still stay in the EU after October 31”, his office said.

Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar waves as he meets Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Dublin. Photo: Reuters

“This is the chance to get a deal done: a deal that is backed by parliamentarians and a deal which involves compromise on all sides. The UK has made a big, important offer but it’s time for the Commission to show a willingness to compromise too. If not the UK will leave with no deal,” a senior British government source said on Sunday.

“We will be packing our bags and walking out,” Johnson wrote in the Sun on Sunday. “The only question is whether Brussels cheerily waves us off with a mutually agreeable deal, or whether we will be forced to head off on our own.”

But Johnson is issuing contradictory messages. The government has repeatedly said it will obey a law passed by Parliament forcing the premier to request a Brexit delay if he cannot get an agreement by October 19. However, a senior official in his office said on Sunday it would be a historic misunderstanding if EU leaders thought Johnson’s domestic opponents could prevent a no-deal departure.