As British MPs prepared to vote on the deal struck by Prime Minister Theresa May, Barnier made a dramatic late intervention on Twitter to stress that Brussels would not agree to interim arrangements to cushion the blow of a no-deal Brexit.
“Listening to debate in @HouseofCommons: there seems to be a dangerous illusion that the UK can benefit from a transition in the absence of the WA (withdrawal agreement,” Barnier tweeted.
“Let me be clear: the only legal basis for a transition is the WA. No withdrawal agreement means no transition.”
May’s deal faces a likely defeat, raising the danger of Britain severing ties with its biggest trade partner on March 29 without a deal and being plunged into economic chaos.
Transitional arrangements to wind down Britain’s involvement with the EU form part of the agreement -- but need parliament’s approval to take effect.
Some Brexit-supporting MPs have argued that contingency measures announced by the EU that would come into effect in the event of no deal would effectively operate as a mini transition deal -- a notion strongly rejected by Brussels officials.
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