The Government has been accused of torpedoing critical talks on Northern Ireland after it emerged that the UK held secret talks on improving relations with the EU. The cross-party summit, was entitled: “How can we make Brexit work better with our neighbours in Europe? But veteran backbencher Sir John Redwood told the Daily Express that taking a softer stance is “deeply damaging” to the UK’s negotiating position.
There is concern that the summit could send the wrong message to the EU, which is currently in talks with the UK in an attempt to resolve issues with the hated Northern Ireland protocol.
When asked whether the summit could jeopardize our position in post-Brexit negotiations over Northern Ireland, Sir John said: “I think its deeply damaging to the whole United Kingdom’s negotiating position.
“We should have learnt by now that it’s only when you’re firm and strong with the EU that you have any chance of making progress.
“When I was single market minister many years ago I realised you have to be extremely firm if you want to get what you wanted.
“If you show any weakness, they walk all over you.”
Mr Redwood added: “The advice I’ve got for the Government is the only language the EU understands, I’m afraid, is when you’re strong.
“So what we need to do to complete Brexit, which is what the people want, is to push through the Northern Ireland Protocol legislation through the Lords because it passed through the Commons with a big majority. We need an independent solution for Northern Ireland.
“It’s quite obvious after all these years that the EU is trying to utilise Northern Ireland rather than seeking a proper solution.”
He called for the Government to be “extremely firm”, adding: “I’m recommending a much more positive approach to Brexit because most Brexit voters feel they haven’t got Brexit.
READ MORE: Tory MPs accuse ministers of Brexit sellout after private EU summit
Meanwhile, former UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: “The full sellout of Brexit is underway”, accusing the Tory party of having “never believed in it”.
The discussions, first revealed by the Observer, involved frontbench MPs from both main parties, as well as diplomats, foreign policy experts and prominent business figures.
Senior Tory Michael Gove took part in the meeting, held last week at Ditchley Park country house in Oxfordshire.
David Lammy and John Healey, two senior members of the Labour party, also attended the two-day gathering.
Delegates were told there was now a view among “some at least, that so far the UK has not found its way forward outside the EU”.
A source told the Mirror: “The main thrust of it was that Britain is losing out, that Brexit is not delivering, our economy is in a weak position”.
The summit comes three years on from the UK’s exit from the European Union.
