UK Tusk: May’s Brexit plan won’t work

Theresa May’s proposed new economic partnership with the EU “will not work”, the head of the European Council has said. Donald Tusk said the plans risked undermining the EU’s single market. He was speaking at the end of an EU summit in Salzburg where leaders of the 27 remaining member states discussed Brexit. Mrs May […]

Theresa May’s proposed new economic partnership with the EU “will not work”, the head of the European Council has said. Donald Tusk said the plans risked undermining the EU’s single market.

He was speaking at the end of an EU summit in Salzburg where leaders of the 27 remaining member states discussed Brexit.

Mrs May said her proposals were the “only serious credible” way to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland.

At a press conference, Mr Tusk said there were some “positive elements” in the UK’s blueprint for future relations with the EU, which was agreed by ministers at Chequers in July. But, he added: “The suggested framework for economic cooperation will not work.”

Mr Tusk added that October would be the “moment of truth” for reaching a deal, and that “if the conditions are there” an additional summit would be held in November to “formalise” it.