Johnson refuses to rule out asking EU to veto Brexit delay

By The Associated Press

5 years ago

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a visit to North Manchester General Hospit ... — Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a visit to North Manchester General Hospital before the Conservative Conference, in Manchester, England, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged calm as tempers flare in the debate over Britain’s departure from the European Union, even though tempers are flaring over what he said. A defiant Johnson told the BBC on Sunday that the "best thing for the country and for people’s overall psychological health would be to get Brexit done." (Andy Stenning/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, centre, arrives at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, England, Sunday Sept. 29, 2019. Johnson headed Sunday to the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, where the party is widely expected to endorse government plans to spend more on the country’s National Health Service. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)

Britain’s International Trade Secretary Liz Truss on stage at the Conservative Party Conference being held in Manchester, England, Sunday Sept.29, 2019. The Conservative Party is committed to Britain’s Brexit split from the European Union leaving on the scheduled date of Oct. 31. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives, accompanied by partner Carrie Symonds, ahead of the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, England, Saturday Sept. 28, 2019. The ruling Conservative Party are continuing with their annual scheduled party conference, despite government lawmakers voting against the party request for a three-day recess to allow extra time for the event. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives, accompanied by partner Carrie Symonds, ahead of the annual scheduled Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, England, Saturday Sept. 28, 2019. The ruling Conservative Party are continuing with their party conference, despite government lawmakers voting against the party request for a three-day recess to allow extra time for the event. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)

LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson has refused to be drawn on whether he had asked one of his fellow European Union leaders to veto an extension to the scheduled Brexit departure date on Oct. 31.

Johnson came to office in July, promising to leave the EU — do or die — by Halloween. The House of Commons has sought to block a departure without an agreement, arguing that such an arrangement would disrupt trade and plunge the economy into recession.

Parliament’s measure will force Johnson to seek a delay if a deal hasn’t been approved by Oct. 19. Johnson told the BBC that EU leaders would be reluctant to keep a “truculent” U.K. in the bloc, and sidestepped the question of whether he had asked any EU leaders to offer a veto.

“I’m not going to get into my discussions with any other EU head of state about the negotiations, because they are extremely interesting but they are also delicate,” he said. “It is certainly true that other EU countries also don’t want this thing to keep dragging on.”

Johnson headed Sunday to the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, where the party was expected to endorse government plans to spend more on the country’s National Health Service.