Brexit: EU leaders dismiss talk of renegotiating draft agreement

London, November 16: European Union leaders have dismissed talk of renegotiating the draft Brexit deal and warned the UK's political situation could make a no-deal more likely. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there was no question of reopening talks as a document was on the table.

 

Meanwhile, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said there was a need to prepare for a no-deal because of UK uncertainty.

The EU has set out a series of meetings leading up to 25 November when it plans to approve the Brexit agreement. However, leaders admit that there is still much ground to cover after the UK Prime Minister Theresa May won backing on Wednesday from her cabinet for the 585-page draft agreement.

Merkel on Thursday said she was pleased that progress had been made. But following news of resignations from May's cabinet, including the UK's Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, she said it was possible that Britain may still leave without a deal.

She also said that there was no appetite for further talks on possible amendments to the current agreement.