Britain won't pay £39bn Brexit 'divorce' bill if there is no deal, Raab insists as he ramps up pressure on Brussels

Dominic Raab: Britain won't pay its 'divorce' bill if a Brexit deal is not agreed
AFP/Getty Images
Sean Morrison @seanmorrison_13 September 2018
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Britain will not pay its £39billion “divorce” bill if a Brexit deal is refused, Dominic Raab has insisted as he stepped up pressure on Brussels to accept the Chequers plan.

The Brexit Secretary’s tough talking comes after Prime Minister Theresa May made clear that without a deal the UK’s “position changes” on the exit settlement.

Ramping up the pressure further on the bloc, Mr Raab said “there is no deal without the whole deal” ahead of his crunch talks with Michel Barnier later on Thursday.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said the Government wanted to reach a good agreement, but added: "It will require our EU friends to match the ambition and pragmatism we have demonstrated.

"If that doesn't happen, the UK will manage the challenges of no-deal, so we make a success of Brexit."

Britain's Secretary for Exiting the European Union Dominic Raab
REUTERS

The Brexit Secretary also accused people who warned about shortages of food and medicines after a no-deal withdrawal of "scaremongering".

His remarks came as the Government prepared to release a raft of technical papers expected to focus on how a no deal Brexit would impact on things like mobile roaming charges.

They also follow reports that Brexiteers launched a fresh bid to topple Mrs May unless she abandons the Chequers strategy. The plot emerged from a meeting of the European Research Group (ERG).

Britain's Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Dominic Raab, right, and EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier speak prior to a meeting at EU headquarters
AP

ERG chair Jacob Rees-Mogg earlier described the proposal as a “dying duck in a thunderstorm” in an interview with Channel 4 News.

The move to release a fresh raft of technical Brexit papers comes amid speculation leaving the EU without a solid agreement could see the return of levies for using mobile devices on the continent.

Theresa May earlier said the UK's position would change on the settlement if a deal was not reached 
PA

The pro-Europe Best for Britain campaign said the re-imposition of roaming charges could cost business people visiting the EU up to £778 a month.

Other areas covered by the documents will include the impact of a no deal scenario on standards relating to the environment and vehicles.

The papers will be published after a special meeting of the Cabinet focused on how a no deal outcome could be handled.

Mr Raab, who will hold talks with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels on Friday, said: "With six months to go until the UK leaves the European Union, we are stepping up our 'no deal' preparations so that Britain can continue to flourish, regardless of the outcome of negotiations.

It comes after Boris Johnson, centre, launched a fresh attack on Mrs May's Brexit plan
Getty Images

"These technical notices are part and parcel of our sensible, pragmatic approach to preparing for all outcomes.

"Getting a deal with the European Union is still by far and away the most likely outcome, and I will continue to champion our Chequers proposals with Michel Barnier as the best way of securing the deep and special partnership we want with the EU."

Liberal Democrat MP and Best for Britain supporter Layla Moran said: "The cost of a hard Brexit on British travellers is becoming abundantly clear.

"Millions of people are facing higher costs to make calls and texts abroad because of the Prime Minister's botched Brexit plans."

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in