Boris Johnson would veto the EU’s seven-year budget and send a Eurosceptic commissioner to Brussels to “disrupt” the bloc’s workings if he were forced into a Brexit delay, under plans being discussed by ministers.
The Telegraph reports that senior Government figures are considering a series of proposals to “sabotage” the EU’s structures if Brussels refuses to agree a new deal or let Mr Johnson deliver Brexit without one.
It added it is understood that plans under discussion include blocking the EU’s 2021-27 budget, which is due to be agreed early next year, and nominating a British commissioner who would cause disruption within their portfolio.
Politico speculated that the possibility of sending Nigel Farage, the leader of the Brexit Party, to take up the role of the British Commissioner. The Telegraph added that on Saturday, the move was openly advocated by Steve Baker, the former Brexit minister, who compared it to shooting “a nuclear weapon into the heart of the asteroid”.
The disclosure comes as Leo Varadkar, the Irish prime minister, insisted a delay to the UK’s exit was “better than no deal”, after the EU said that Mr Johnson’s proposals for an exit agreement did not “provide a basis for concluding an agreement”.
Brussels wants Johnson to compromise further, including by offering to keep Northern Ireland in the EU customs union.
