The U.K.'s Brexit minister called for the immediate start of negotiations with France on ways to ease the disruption of a potential U.K. departure from the European Union without a withdrawal agreement in place.
Steve Barclay, the secretary of state for exiting the EU, said the U.K. continues to aim for an orderly exit but also is prepared for a no-deal Brexit, which has reportedly become the baseline Brexit scenario for French officials.
"[W]hile we are absolutely focused on securing a deal, alongside these discussions we must also now progress talks on the mitigations necessary for any no-deal that may arise," Barclay said in a speech to business leaders in Paris, citing the impact of a no-deal Brexit on the fishing, agriculture and automotive industries.
Barclay also urged France and other EU member states to match the U.K.'s plan to protect the rights of EU citizens living in the U.K. in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Barclay's speech came on the same day the U.K. government asked Queen Elizabeth to suspend Parliament and make it harder for lawmakers to block a no-deal Brexit. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly vowed to deliver Brexit by Oct. 31, no matter what.
Johnson's government hopes to strike a new Brexit pact with the EU minus the controversial Irish backstop plan. Brussels has ruled out such a deal.
