The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned British lawmakers Tuesday against the "dangerous illusion" that they could benefit from a transition arrangement even without a proper divorce deal.

"Listening to debate in @HouseofCommons: there seems to be a dangerous illusion that the UK can benefit from a transition in the absence of the WA (withdrawal agreement," Barnier tweeted in a dramatic intervention as British MPs prepared to vote on the deal struck by Prime Minister Theresa May.

"Let me be clear: the only legal basis for a transition is the WA. No withdrawal agreement means no transition."

British MPs are due to vote on the divorce deal later on Tuesday and are expected to reject it for a second time.

A vote for a request for a Brexit extension beyond the March 29 deadline is due on Thursday.

 

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.