European Parliament Brexit Coordinator Guy Verhofstadt has lashed out at MP David Davis for comments he made on whether or not last week’s Brexit deal is legally binding.
Appearing on television at the weekend, Davis told Andrew Marr that rather than being “legally enforceable,” the deal was a “statement of intent.”
This sort of rhetoric has been widespread in the last few days, with former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith saying the deal could be “torn up tomorrow.”
The deal, which effectively sees the UK (including Northern Ireland) remain in the single market and customs union, removed the necessity for a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
If that deal were to be “torn up,” all sides would be back to square one on the border issue.
Now Verhofstadt has issued a challenge to British politicians, and has said that the European Parliament will insist that the deal is translated into legally binding text as soon as possible.
He also called the remarks by Davis “unhelpful,” saying they “undermined trust.”
“Remarks by David Davis that Phase one deal last week not binding were unhelpful & undermines trust. EP text will now reflect this & insist agreement translated into legal text ASAP #Brexit.”
Remarks by David Davis that Phase one deal last week not binding were unhelpful & undermines trust. EP text will now reflect this & insist agreement translated into legal text ASAP #Brexit
— Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) December 12, 2017
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