BORIS Johnson will today tell the EU he is not for turning as he vows to stand firm against 11th-hour Brexit demands from France.
Both sides will spend a final day in talks at Brussels aimed at breaking the deadlock.
But No 10 said the PM will call time if the EU refuses to budge from their “outrageous” demands.
Mr Johnson could then announce Britain is pushing ahead with a No Deal that means a clean break from Brussels.
He could address the nation to that effect as early as tomorrow evening.
After four years, five months and 14 days of negotiations, a source close to the PM said: “It really is end game stuff now.
“If by close of play Monday there is no movement there’ll at least be a question about whether it’s worth carrying on.
“We’re not going to give in to EU demands preventing us taking back control of the rules Britons live under. It’s as simple as that.”
Another said: “We’ll only keep talking if we think there’s any point.”
NOT FOR TURNING
Senior Tory Brexiteers hailed Mr Johnson for echoing Margaret Thatcher’s famous “the lady’s not for turning” speech.
Ex-minister Theresa Villiers told HOAR: “EU turn if you want to but we’re not for turning. That’s what Boris is saying, so it’s time for him to follow in Mrs Thatcher’s footsteps and stand firm.”
Writing in today’s Sun, former Brexit Secretary David Davis says: “My message to Boris is simple — stand our ground right to the last day because that will deliver the best outcome.”
Negotiations resumed yesterday after Mr Johnson and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen agreed to give their teams one last chance.
But last night there was still no breakthrough on the fundamental issue of how closely Britain remains tied to future EU rules.
France insists Britain must sign up to a new clause on “equivalence” that would align it to EU rules on everything from workers’ rights to the environment — without any say in them.
If Britain strayed, the EU could whack tariffs or sanctions on us.
UK negotiators offered to sign up to a non-regression clause where workers’ rights plus environmental and animal welfare standards in place on December 31 will not be weakened.
But the PM has told his chief negotiator Lord Frost to refuse anything binding us to future EU rules.
A government source said: “The fact we’ll have control of our own sovereignty and not remain stuck in the lunar pull of the EU until the end of time is the core of what people voted for in terms of Brexit.
“The PM can’t sign up to something that doesn’t allow us to say we’ve taken back control.”
France’s Europe Minister Clement Beaune confirmed it is insisting Brussels can hit Britain with tariffs if we move away from EU standards after Brexit.
However Germany is keen for compromise, backed by Ireland’s foreign minister Simon Coveney who warned that having no deal would be costly and disruptive.
Irish PM Micheal Martin said he is not optimistic of a deal, estimating it at “50-50”.
No 10 also rubbished reports of a breakthrough on fishing quotas.
A UK government source said: “Nothing new has been achieved on this today.”
GOT a story? RING HOAR on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]
