‘It’s like something from school’: Irish leader Leo Varadkar clashes with Dominic Raab over ‘petty’ order for UK diplomats not to SIT with former EU friends at international events as they spar over post-Brexit trade
- Foreign Secretary sent message to UK representatives saying to ‘sit separately’
- He said Britain should project an image of a ‘confident independent country’
- Policy came as Boris Johnson cranked up the stakes ahead of post-Brexit talks
Mr Raab said today: ‘The issue of alignment is just not going to happen, it’s not a question of red lines, it’s not on the negotiating table, it’s not even in the negotiating room’
Irish leader Leo Varadkar clashed with Dominic Raab today, attacking his ‘petty’ demand that UK diplomats to sit apart from EU states ahead of crunch trade talks.
The Foreign Secretary sent a message to UK representatives telling them to ‘sit separately’ from those from European nations at international events after Brexit happened on Friday.
His telegram to embassies around the world said he wanted Britain to project an image of a ‘confident independent country’ that did not seek ”seek residual influence’ with former continental allies, the Sunday Times reported.
But appearing on the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme today, the Taoiseach said: ‘It just comes across as a little bit petty.
‘It’s in primary school and secondary school you get worried about who you sit next to in class.’
He added that for international bodies like the World Trade Organisations, seating is done either alphabetically or ‘according to protocol’.
The Foreign Secretary (today in London) sent a message to UK representatives telling them to ‘sit separately’ from those from European nations at international events after Brexit
Appearing on the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme today, the Taoiseach said: ‘It just comes across as a little bit petty’
He also hit out at UK plans to diverge from EU rules as it seeks a free trade deal.
Mr Varadkar, who is facing a general election in Ireland next week, said: ‘One thing I’d say to everyone is let’s not repeat some of the errors that were made in the past two-and-a-half years, let’s not set such rigid red lines that it makes it hard to come to an agreement and let’s tone down the kind of nationalistic rhetoric.
‘As is always the case when it comes to negotiations, setting out so boldly such firm red lines actually makes coming to an agreement more difficult because the other party you are negotiating with doesn’t feel they got a fair deal unless those red lines get turned pink or bent in some way.’
Mr Raab’s hardline policy came as Boris Johnson cranked up the stakes ahead of post-Brexit showdowns with the EU by warning he will walk away from any trade deal which does not meet his red lines.
Mr Raab told Sky’s Ridge on Sunday this morning: ‘We will have separate independent membership(s) and we will assert the UK’s position.’
He added: The issue of alignment is just not going to happen, it’s not a question of red lines, it’s not on the negotiating table, it’s not even in the negotiating room.’
Boris Johnson cranked up the stakes ahead of post-Brexit showdowns with the EU by warning he will walk away from any trade deal which does not meet his red lines
The Prime Minister is understood to be furious with Brussels, who he believes have pivoted from wanting to forge a deep trading relationship to now insisting on regulatory alignment.
Noises from the continent in the days before Britain left the bloc on Friday signaled the EU’s eagerness to keep the UK bound by its rule book and the oversight of the European Court of Justice.
Mr Johnson, who has already given a cast iron pledge to end alignment, is understood to be incandescent with this ‘changing of the terms’ agreed in the joint political declaration.
In a strategy which could spook Brussels into giving ground and rethinking their demands, Downing Street will express it is no longer only planning for a Canada-style deal.
He will use his first speech since delivering Brexit to tell Brussels negotiators he is not afraid to accept border checks and that no concessions will be made.
The Prime Minister is due to lay out his plans on Monday for the upcoming negotiations with the European Union following the UK’s formal withdrawal from the bloc at 11pm on Friday.
Mr Johnson is expected to tell his audience – due to gather at a London venue with ‘historic trade ties’, according to insiders – that ‘no achievement lies beyond our reach’.
It is understood Mr Johnson will put his cards on the table in asking for a Canada-style free trade deal with Brussels – and he is expected to make clear he will accept no alignment, no jurisdiction of the European courts, and no concessions to any Brussels’ demands.
The EU has been calling for a level-playing field to be agreed, pressing for Britain to sign-up to adhering to Brussels-set environmental and social standards, as well as rules on state subsidies, to prevent the UK undercutting the single market once the transition period ends in 2021.
Source: Read Full Article