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ANDREW MARR grilled Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay this morning over Boris Johnson’s plans to defeat the Benn Act and avoid a Brexit delay.
In a fiery interview on BBC One’s TheAndrew MarrShow, Mr Barclay claimed the Prime Minister will comply with the law in accordance with the Benn Act passed by MPs last month and aimed at preventingBoris Johnsonsfrom taking the UK out of the EU without a deal. But because the Prime Minister has repeatedly said he has no intention of asking for aBrexitextension – despite being obliged to by the Benn Act should he fail to reach an agreement by October 19 – Andrew Marr asked the Brexit Secretary to reveal his Government’s real plans.
The BBC host asked: “In terms of a cunning plan being devised in Number 10, you’re Brexit Secretary, do you know what it is? ”
Mr Barclay hit back by reminding Mr Marr he was the one who accused the Government of having “sham negotiations” with the EU to “rush” to a no deal Brexit last month.
He said: “We have a Cabinet committee, we discuss the various variables that may happen.
“But what we’re clear on across the Cabinet as a whole is what the Prime Minister is absolutely committed to is to secure a deal.
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Brexit news: Andrew Marr and Stephen Barclay clash over Government’s plans to circumvent Benn Act(Image: BBC)
Brexit news: Stephen Barclay claims Boris Johnson will comply with the law(Image: BBC)
Symbolically I’m going to get down on one knee and say if you know what th e plan is, for goodness sake tells us!
(Andrew Marr) **************************** ()
“And it’s not so long ago, Andrew, that you were accusing the Government of having a sham negotiation, we weren’t seeing the risk and we were rushing through a no deal.
“Now people can see that we are looking for a deal.”
But the BBC host insisted: “I’m not accusing you of anything.
“I’m going to plead with you. I’m not literally going to get down on one knee but symbolically I’m going to get down on one knee and say if you know what the plan is, for goodness sake tells us! ”
Mr Barclay refused to step away from the Prime Minister’s pledge he will get a deal signed by the EU before any extension request is necessary.
He said: “I do know what the plan is , it is to secure a deal at the Council on the 17 th.
“That’s what the entirety of the Government is committed to doing.
“And we stand ready to get into those intensive negotiations with the EU.
” Because across Europ e, people recognise we need to respect the referendum result but the best way of doing so is with a smooth and orderly exit.
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“That requires a deal. We’ve set out very serious proposals including compromise on our side and we now need to see creativity and flexibility on the EU side in order to reach that deal. ”
The Brexit Secretary also confirmed the Government has been holding talks with opposition MPs in a bid to secure their backing for a deal.
He added: “We are talking to Members of Parliament across the House because I think many Members of Parliament want to avoid no-deal .
“And particularly those Members of Parliament in Leave constituencies who have voted against no-deal and voted against a deal three times, then they will need to be able to address this issue when they return to their electorate . “
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