Brussels has issued a no-deal Brexit warning as Boris Johnson took to the stage to launch his Tory leadership bid.
Britain will not be leaving the European Union this year, even in the event of a no-deal, according to Brussels.
Eurocrats say they believe that Boris Johnson will be the next UK prime minister and that he will do a U-turn on his promise to leave on October 31.
BYPASS THE CENSORS
Sign up to get unfiltered news delivered straight to your inbox.
You can unsubscribe any time. By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use
The Daily Mail reports: Even in the event of a cliff-edge exit, they believe EU leaders would sign off on a short extension for a ‘controlled No Deal’ which would last into the beginning of 2020.
However, EU officials are working on the assumption that Mr Johnson will not insist on forcing through No Deal because this would trigger a no confidence vote by MPs and end his premiership.
Instead, they expect him to use his ‘charm and charisma’ to sell an amended version of the current deal which Theresa May was not capable of delivering.
A senior EU source said: ‘A lot of people are scared about Boris, but I don’t think he is the worst of all.
‘I think Boris can sell things back home that Theresa May probably couldn’t…
If people really brief Boris and talk him through the implications of No Deal, I think he will really think twice.’
Another senior source added: ‘Whatever happens, you’ll probably end up with a short-term extension of two or three months.
‘It will either be a short extension for a controlled No Deal, or to allow for getting a deal to pass through the [UK] parliament.’
