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The UK may not be able to reach a Brexit deal with the European Union because controversial issues are still blocking an agreement, the trade minister Liam Fox has admitted.
“We are seeing a difficult end to the negotiation,” Mr Fox told Sky News on Saturday morning.
He said that if the UK failed to get its way over outstanding issues such as the Northern Ireland border, “we may not be able to reach an agreement with the European Union.”
Agreeing a backstop, a contingency plan designed to keep an open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland until the UK and EU settle their future relationship, remains the key obstacle in the way of a wider withdrawal deal between the two sides.
Pressed on whether he would resign if any backstop did not have a time limit and no way to end the arrangement, leaving the UK bound by EU rules, Mr Fox said: “I’m not going to play this media game on who’s going to resign.”
Mr Fox also admitted that the UK had not even started to discuss the details of its future trade agreement with Europe.
It comes as Theresa May’s Brexit plans are under intense pressure following a bombshell ministerial resignation from Boris Johnson’s brother Jo Johnson.
Mr Johnson resigned as transport minister on Friday and demanded a second referendum on the final deal.
Pressed on the BBC’s Today programme whether other ministerial resignations were coming over Brexit, Mr Johnson said: “It’s for each MP to come to his or her own view.
“This is one of the most momentous questions we will ever face in our political careers.
“And everybody is thinking very hard about it.”
He also said: “My priority is really just to do my bit as a now backbench MP to try and encourage the country to pause and reflect before we do something that is irrevocably stupid.”
Mr Johnson insisted that his resignation was not an attempt to oust Theresa May as Prime Minister and that it was be an “absolute travesty” if the public were not asked if they “actually do want to exit the EU on this extraordinarily hopeless basis.”
Ex-first secretary of state Damian Green attacked Mr Johnson’s calls for a second Brexit vote: “My basic disagreement with Jo is about the need for a second referendum. I think a second referendum would be divisive, but it wouldn’t be decisive.
“All the evidence is that the country is still, more or less, split down the middle.”
People’s Vote protesters march on Parliament Square – in Pictures
1/44
Some 700,000 people attended the march on the last count.
EPA
2/44
A boy rides a man shoulders while waving a sign that says “I want breakfast, not Brexit”
REUTERS/Henry Nicholls
3/44
A Cardboard model of the “may-bot” made an appearance at the huge demonstration in Parliament Square.
REUTERS
4/44
London Mayor Sadiq Khan led the march procession and gave a speech to the crowds.
PA
5/44
A vocal anti-Brexit voice, Delia Smith also spoke to the rally at Parliament Square.
PA/Yui Mok
6/44
The crowds filled Traflagar Square, Whitehall and Parliament square as protesters marched through central London
PA/Yui Mok
7/44
A young protester waves an EU flag.
REUTERS/Henry Nicholls
8/44
Chukka Umunna, Conservative, and Caroline Lucas, Green Party on the stage at Parliament Square.
PA/Yui Mok
9/44
One of several adaptations of Banksy’s art work “Girl with Love Balloon”.
REUTERS/Henry Nicholls
10/44
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan delivers a speech in Parliament Square during the People’s Vote March for the Future in London.
EPA/Vickie Flores
11/44
Conservative MP Anna Soubry gave an impassioned speech.
PA
12/44
The “May-Bot” did the rounds
PA/Yui Mok
13/44
A model of the Palace of Westminster clock tower being lifted by EU balloons
PA/Yui Mok
14/44
One adaptations of Banksy’s recent art auction stunt depicted the Vote Leave symbol being shredded in a picture frame..
PA/Yui Mok
15/44
Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People’s Vote March
PA
16/44
Over 500,000 peoples have attended the People’s Vote for the Future march.
EPA/Vickie Flores
17/44
A campaigner holds a placard likening Brexit to Britain shooting itself in the foot.
Reuters/Simon Dawson
18/44
A placard depicting politicians calls Brexit an “Eton Mess”.
EPA/Vickie Flores
19/44
A British-European hybrid flag is raised at the march.
EPA/Vickie Flores
20/44
“A pack of lies, a pack of jokers,” says another placard.
EPA/Vickie Flores
21/44
The unprecedented crowds are expected to far-outnumber the previous People’s Vote in July.
EPA/Vickie Flores
22/44
“I love EU”, and “Lets stay together” are some of the more positive placards.
Reuters/Simon Dauson
23/44
An anti-Brexit campaigner dressed as Theresa May waves European Union flags
PA/Yui Mok
24/44
An anti-Brexit campaigner with her face painted in the colours of the European Union flag takes part in the People’s Vote March for the Future
PA/Yui Mok
25/44
The crowds filled London’s streets for the People’s Vote march.
PA/Yui Mok
26/44
A protester participating in the huge demonstration.
Reuters/Simon Dawson
27/44
Demonstrators hold placards and European Union flags
AFP/Getty Images
28/44
Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country’s looming breakup with the EU.
AFP/Getty/Niklas Helle’n
29/44
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (C) joins demonstrators as they take part in a march
AFP/Getty/Niklas Helle’n
30/44
Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a march.
AFP/Getty/Niklas Helle’n
31/44
“Never gonna give EU up”, says one placard, in a tribute to singer Rick Astley
AFP/Getty/Niklas Helle’n
32/44
The march was led by young people who said they wanted another vote to secure their future.
PA
33/44
Demonstrators arrive for the ‘People’s Vote March for the Future,’ in central London.
EPA/Vickie Flores
34/44
Reports state that the ‘March for the Future’ is to be led by a column of young people and call for a People’s Vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a rally on stage in Parliament Square, including speeches from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
EPA/Vickie Flores
35/44
A demonstrator wears a teddy bear, who himself waves an EU flag at the march in central London.
EPA
36/44
A man with an EU tattoo on his arm holds a sign saying avoiding Brexit will “save the UK”.
EPA
37/44
An anti-Brexit campaigner holds a placard in Hyde Park, London.
PA
38/44
A sign depicting key Brexit proponents, Boris Johnson MP, Jacob Rees-Mogg MP and Nigel Farage – calling them the “Three Wrexiteers”.
REUTERS
39/44
Campaigners from Another Europe is Possible lowered a banner off Westminster Bridge before taking part in the People’s Vote march today.
PA/Jess Hurd/AEIP
40/44
A protester arranges a figure resembling former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, in a cage.
Reuters/Simon Dawson
41/44
Protesters gather and prepare their plaques before they take to the streets calling for a second referendum on the government’s final deal for Brexit.
Reuters/Simon Dawson
42/44
A protester wears badges pinned on jeans before an anti-Brexit demonstration,
Reuters/Simon Dawson
43/44
A protester wears a beret as they prepare to march from Park Lane to Parliament Square in London.
Reuters/Simon Dawson
44/44
Protesters say its right the public should have a second say on Brexit, while supporters from Leave Means Leave have said a second vote would “undermine democracy”.
Reuters/Simon Dawson
1/44
Some 700,000 people attended the march on the last count.
EPA
2/44
A boy rides a man shoulders while waving a sign that says “I want breakfast, not Brexit”
REUTERS/Henry Nicholls
3/44
A Cardboard model of the “may-bot” made an appearance at the huge demonstration in Parliament Square.
REUTERS
4/44
London Mayor Sadiq Khan led the march procession and gave a speech to the crowds.
PA
5/44
A vocal anti-Brexit voice, Delia Smith also spoke to the rally at Parliament Square.
PA/Yui Mok
6/44
The crowds filled Traflagar Square, Whitehall and Parliament square as protesters marched through central London
PA/Yui Mok
7/44
A young protester waves an EU flag.
REUTERS/Henry Nicholls
8/44
Chukka Umunna, Conservative, and Caroline Lucas, Green Party on the stage at Parliament Square.
PA/Yui Mok
9/44
One of several adaptations of Banksy’s art work “Girl with Love Balloon”.
REUTERS/Henry Nicholls
10/44
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan delivers a speech in Parliament Square during the People’s Vote March for the Future in London.
EPA/Vickie Flores
11/44
Conservative MP Anna Soubry gave an impassioned speech.
PA
12/44
The “May-Bot” did the rounds
PA/Yui Mok
13/44
A model of the Palace of Westminster clock tower being lifted by EU balloons
PA/Yui Mok
14/44
One adaptations of Banksy’s recent art auction stunt depicted the Vote Leave symbol being shredded in a picture frame..
PA/Yui Mok
15/44
Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People’s Vote March
PA
16/44
Over 500,000 peoples have attended the People’s Vote for the Future march.
EPA/Vickie Flores
17/44
A campaigner holds a placard likening Brexit to Britain shooting itself in the foot.
Reuters/Simon Dawson
18/44
A placard depicting politicians calls Brexit an “Eton Mess”.
EPA/Vickie Flores
19/44
A British-European hybrid flag is raised at the march.
EPA/Vickie Flores
20/44
“A pack of lies, a pack of jokers,” says another placard.
EPA/Vickie Flores
21/44
The unprecedented crowds are expected to far-outnumber the previous People’s Vote in July.
EPA/Vickie Flores
22/44
“I love EU”, and “Lets stay together” are some of the more positive placards.
Reuters/Simon Dauson
23/44
An anti-Brexit campaigner dressed as Theresa May waves European Union flags
PA/Yui Mok
24/44
An anti-Brexit campaigner with her face painted in the colours of the European Union flag takes part in the People’s Vote March for the Future
PA/Yui Mok
25/44
The crowds filled London’s streets for the People’s Vote march.
PA/Yui Mok
26/44
A protester participating in the huge demonstration.
Reuters/Simon Dawson
27/44
Demonstrators hold placards and European Union flags
AFP/Getty Images
28/44
Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country’s looming breakup with the EU.
AFP/Getty/Niklas Helle’n
29/44
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (C) joins demonstrators as they take part in a march
AFP/Getty/Niklas Helle’n
30/44
Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a march.
AFP/Getty/Niklas Helle’n
31/44
“Never gonna give EU up”, says one placard, in a tribute to singer Rick Astley
AFP/Getty/Niklas Helle’n
32/44
The march was led by young people who said they wanted another vote to secure their future.
PA
33/44
Demonstrators arrive for the ‘People’s Vote March for the Future,’ in central London.
EPA/Vickie Flores
34/44
Reports state that the ‘March for the Future’ is to be led by a column of young people and call for a People’s Vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a rally on stage in Parliament Square, including speeches from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
EPA/Vickie Flores
35/44
A demonstrator wears a teddy bear, who himself waves an EU flag at the march in central London.
EPA
36/44
A man with an EU tattoo on his arm holds a sign saying avoiding Brexit will “save the UK”.
EPA
37/44
An anti-Brexit campaigner holds a placard in Hyde Park, London.
PA
38/44
A sign depicting key Brexit proponents, Boris Johnson MP, Jacob Rees-Mogg MP and Nigel Farage – calling them the “Three Wrexiteers”.
REUTERS
39/44
Campaigners from Another Europe is Possible lowered a banner off Westminster Bridge before taking part in the People’s Vote march today.
PA/Jess Hurd/AEIP
40/44
A protester arranges a figure resembling former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, in a cage.
Reuters/Simon Dawson
41/44
Protesters gather and prepare their plaques before they take to the streets calling for a second referendum on the government’s final deal for Brexit.
Reuters/Simon Dawson
42/44
A protester wears badges pinned on jeans before an anti-Brexit demonstration,
Reuters/Simon Dawson
43/44
A protester wears a beret as they prepare to march from Park Lane to Parliament Square in London.
Reuters/Simon Dawson
44/44
Protesters say its right the public should have a second say on Brexit, while supporters from Leave Means Leave have said a second vote would “undermine democracy”.
Reuters/Simon Dawson
Mr Johnson’s resignation saw pro-EU and arch-Brexiteers in the Conservative Party unite to attack the Prime Minister’s stance.
Calling for a second referendum to be held on Brexit, Mr Johnson denounced the choice between her deal or no-deal as a “failure of British statecraft on a scale unseen since the Suez crisis” that had left Britain facing “vassalage” or “chaos”.
His dramatic resignation, delivered as Mrs May travelled to France to take part in Armistice centennial commemorations, sparked speculation that the PM could face further Cabinet departures in the coming days.
Tory MP Anna Soubry, a vociferous Remain campaigner, said she had “huge respect” for Mr Johnson, telling The Guardian: “Jo isn’t the only minister who shares these views and I hope others will follow his lead.”
Ahead of a conference of the Eurosceptic Bruges Group on Saturday, Tory MP Mark Francois also said further ministerial resignations could not be ruled out.
He told the BBC: “When we get the final deal, and it feels like that’s not very far away, Cabinet ministers will have to look into their hearts and see whether or not they feel they can support it.
“And, if they can’t, because they believe it’s a bad deal for the country, then, honourably, they would have to resign.”
Downing Street spokesman said the referendum “was the biggest democratic exercise in this country’s history”.
“We will not under any circumstances have a second referendum,” a spokesman said.
“The Prime Minister thanks Jo Johnson for his work in Government.”
Amid the Tory infighting, DUP leader Arlene Foster made it clear her party would vote against the PM’s current proposals, warning such an agreement would leave the UK “handcuffed” to the EU with a sea border between Northern Ireland and the rest of Britain.
Writing in Saturday’s Daily Telegraph, she said she had raised DUP concerns with Mrs May, but the PM’s response failed to allay their fears.
“If what is outlined in the reply is the type of deal the Prime Minister intends to conclude, then the DUP could not support a deal which annexes Northern Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom,” she wrote.
“The ‘new’ idea of a UK customs arrangement does not appear to be a genuinely UK-wide offer but a GB offer and an NI offer badged as one – Northern Ireland in THE EU customs territory and GB in A customs union.
“The real intent is not to solve any land border issues in Ireland but to handcuff the UK to the EU, with the EU holding the keys. The United Kingdom would be trapped.”
Without mentioning the Prime Minister, she added: “We are ready to stand with those in Cabinet and in Parliament to work for a better deal. One which works for the whole United Kingdom.”
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