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A8 WORLD NEWS
Friday 8 March 2019

UK insists Brexit talks will continue despite EU pessimism

By JILL LAWLESS to be rejected — or to ask
Associated Press the EU to delay Brexit.
LONDON (AP) — Brexit ne- Treasury chief Philip Ham-
gotiations between Britain mond warned pro-Brexit
with the European Union lawmakers that they should
will continue through the “think very, very carefully”
weekend, the country’s about the consequences
chief law officer said Thurs- of defeating May’s deal
day as the U.K. scrambled and potentially triggering
to secure changes to the the postponement of Brit-
divorce deal before a vote ain’s departure.
in Parliament next week. He said “they run the risk of
With Britain’s scheduled us moving away from their
departure from the bloc preferred course of action
a little more than three if we don’t get this deal
weeks away, the EU says through on Tuesday.”
“difficult” talks have failed Delaying Brexit would re-
to produce a breakthrough quire approval from all 27
because British proposals remaining member states.
are unrealistic. EU leaders have said it is
“We are waiting for a pro- likely to be granted — if Brit-
posal from the British gov- ain has a good reason for
ernment,” French Europe the request.
Minister Nathalie Loiseau The European Parliament’s top Brexit official Guy Verhofstadt pauses, as he talks during a debate Guy Verhofstadt, the Eu-
told BBC radio. “We have about Britain’s Brexit split from the EU at the European Parliament in Brussels, Thursday, March 7, ropean parliament’s top
heard what you don’t 2019. Brexit official, said a short
want; we are willing to Associated Press extension of up to two
know what you want.” the comments that have divorce deal that lays out the deal, including any months “would not be a
U.K. Attorney General emerged over the last 48 the terms of an orderly de- changes the government problem.” But he said a
Geoffrey Cox, however, hours the proposals are not parture and a transition pe- manages to secure. If they longer delay that went
insisted that said “focused, clear. They are as clear as riod for businesses to adjust throw it out again, lawmak- beyond May’s European
detailed and careful dis- day and we are continuing to new trade rules. ers will vote on whether to parliament elections would
cussions” would resume to discuss them.” British lawmakers are due leave the EU without an solve little and would leave
“shortly.” Britain is due to leave the to vote again Tuesday on agreement — an idea likely the EU’s future on hold.q
“We are discussing text with EU on March 29, but in Jan-
the European Union,” he uary the U.K. Parliament
said. “I am surprised to hear resoundingly rejected the Trudeau maintains he didn’t

apply inappropriate pressure

By ROB GILLIES
Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) — Cana-
dian Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau said Thursday that
an “erosion of trust” and
“lack of communication”
with his former justice min-
ister led her to resign and
accuse him of applying in-
appropriate pressure in a
corruption prosecution — a
dispute that has shaken his
government.
But the prime minister Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at a Liberal Climate Action
made no apologies as he Rally in Toronto, Monday, March 4, 2019.
discussed the issue at a Associated Press
nationally televised news ery in Libya. The case has ernment contracts.
conference. Former Jus- led to the resignations of “In regards to standing up
tice Minister and Attorney two high-profile Cabinet for jobs and defending the
General Jody Wilson-Ray- ministers and his top aide, integrity of our rule of law,
bould told a parliamentary as well as opposition calls I continue to say there was
committee last week that for him to step down no inappropriate pressure,”
Trudeau and senior officials Trudeau and his aides deny Trudeau said.
tried to pressure her into doing anything wrong, say- Trudeau said Wilson-Ray-
instructing prosecutors to ing they were only pointing bould did not come to him
avoid criminal prosecution out that prosecution could to express her concerns
of Montreal-based engi- endanger thousands of and said he wishes she had.
neering giant SNC-Lavalin people’s jobs because a He said situations were “ex-
and instead require it to conviction would make the perienced differently and I
pay fines for alleged brib- company ineligible for gov- regret that.” q