May challenges EU as Brexit talks hit 'impasse'

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Europe

01:54

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Friday that Brexit talks with the European Union had hit an impasse, defiantly challenging the bloc to come up with its own plans a day after EU leaders savaged her proposals.

At a summit in Austria on Thursday, EU leaders rejected May's "Chequers" plan, saying she needed to give ground on trade and customs arrangements for the UK border with Ireland.

May angrily struck back in a televised address from her Downing Street office, saying neither side should expect the impossible from the other.

"Throughout this process, I have treated the EU with nothing but respect," May said. "The UK expects the same. A good relationship at the end of this process depends on it."

May has said her "Chequers" proposals were the only way forward. EU leaders in Salzburg repeated their view that the plans would undermine their cherished single market.

After the summit, EU leaders said they would push for an agreement next month, but both sides have warned they are planning for a no-deal scenario.

"It's not acceptable to simply reject the other side's proposals without a detailed explanation and counter proposals," May said. "So we now need to hear from the EU what the real issues are, what their alternative is, so that we can discuss them. Until we do, we cannot make progress."

She also ruled out a second referendum. "I will not overturn the result of the referendum nor will I break up my country," she said. "We need serious engagement on resolving the two main problems in the negotiations and we stand ready."

However, she said no matter what happened, the rights of three million EU citizens living in the United Kingdom would be protected.

European Council President Donald Tusk said after May's comments he was convinced that the European Union and Britain could still find a compromise.

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives for a group photo during the European Union leaders informal summit in Salzburg, Austria, Sept. 20, 2018. /Reuters Photo

Earlier, UK's Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said some EU leaders had shown unstatesmanlike behavior in Salzburg.

EU officials and diplomats challenged the criticism, saying if May felt ambushed, she has only herself to blame for irritating continental leaders with her stand.

"It's just badly played by the Brits," one EU official who was present throughout the two days of meetings in Austria told Reuters.

Several participants spoke of anger among the leaders at an opinion column May placed in a German newspaper on the first day of the summit that flatly rejected EU negotiator Michel Barnier's plan for avoiding a dangerous new border in Ireland.

Harsh language on either side, and the fighting talk May came out with on Friday in response could increase the chance of talks collapsing and Britain quitting the bloc in March without a deal to ease economic disruption, some diplomats said.

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May makes a statement on Brexit negotiations with the European Union at Number 10 Downing Street, London, Sept. 21, 2018. /Reuter Photo

May faces a fight with angry Conservative lawmakers at her party's annual conference from Sept. 30.

Many have voiced opposition to her plans, which they said would bind Britain into much EU regulation in return for free trade, and some would prefer a no-deal “hard Brexit” in March, despite warnings that would ravage the British economy.

On Friday, the Telegraph newspaper said citing unnamed sources some of May's ministers will demand a "Plan B" on her Brexit proposal next week and could quit if she does not change course.

Ministers will demand an alternative plan to her Chequers plan at a Cabinet meeting on Monday.

The Telegraph said there was "speculation" that work and pensions minister Esther McVey might walk out of Monday's meeting if no new proposal was presented, while international development minister Penny Mordaunt was also tipped as a possible resignation candidate, though the newspaper said friends denied she would resign.

Source(s): Reuters