Eurocrats admitted “there is not really a court to settle the dispute” if the next British prime minister refuses to pay the extortionate fee agreed by Theresa May. The European Commission’s budget chief Gunther Oettinger told reporters in Brussels that he hopes Britain will “settle old debts fairly” and expects the next Tory leader to “accept that bill”. The German official said: “Mrs May’s Government accepted the payment of that amount, so we expect that no matter which government will be out negotiating partner… we expect them to accept that bill.” He added: “If a future government would not be ready or willing to pay then the problem is there’s not really a court to settle the dispute, but we do have some arguments.” Mr Oettinger argued that the next prime minister would want to “ensure that the relationship between the UK and the EU has a future”. Brussels has already warned Britain that they would expect the Government to stump up the £39bn divorce bill in the event of a no-deal Brexit, as the price to restart negotiations. The German eurocrat said it would be difficult for Britain to secure access in the bloc’s Galileo satellite navigation project without paying the bill. His comments will come as a blow to French Europe minister Amelie De Montchalin, who this week claimed Britain would in breach of “international law” if the money isn’t sent to Brussels. Mr Oettinger’s admission does, however, fall in line with a House of Lords’ report that determined Britain would have no legal obligation to fork out cash to Brussels in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The March 2017 report says there is “no enforceable obligation to make any financial contribution at all” if there is no agreement at the end of the Article 50 period. Brussels would face a vast blackhole in its finances if Britain doesn’t pay up in the event of no deal. Last week, officials published the bloc’s draft £150 billion budget for 2020, which Britain is expected to contribute to after David Cameron signed off participation in 2014. Eurocrats would be forced to cut funds to multiple projects and also increase the budget contributions of the other 27 member states.
Busted! Brussels admits there's NO WAY to force UK to cough up £39bn Brexit bill
Eurocrats admitted “there is not really a court to settle the dispute” if the next British prime minister refuses to pay the extortionate fee agreed by Theresa May. The European Commission’s budget chief Gunther Oettinger told reporters in Brussels that he hopes Britain will “settle old debts fairly” and expects the next Tory leader to “accept that bill”. The German official said: “Mrs May’s Government accepted the payment of that amount, so we expect that no matter which government will be out negotiating partner… we expect them to accept that bill.” He added: “If a future government would not be ready or willing to pay then the problem is there’s not really a court to settle the dispute, but we do have some arguments.” Mr Oettinger argued that the next prime minister would want to “ensure that the relationship between the UK and the EU has a future”. Brussels has already warned Britain that they would expect the Government to stump up the £39bn divorce bill in the event of a no-deal Brexit, as the price to restart negotiations. The German eurocrat said it would be difficult for Britain to secure access in the bloc’s Galileo satellite navigation project without paying the bill. His comments will come as a blow to French Europe minister Amelie De Montchalin, who this week claimed Britain would in breach of “international law” if the money isn’t sent to Brussels. Mr Oettinger’s admission does, however, fall in line with a House of Lords’ report that determined Britain would have no legal obligation to fork out cash to Brussels in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The March 2017 report says there is “no enforceable obligation to make any financial contribution at all” if there is no agreement at the end of the Article 50 period. Brussels would face a vast blackhole in its finances if Britain doesn’t pay up in the event of no deal. Last week, officials published the bloc’s draft £150 billion budget for 2020, which Britain is expected to contribute to after David Cameron signed off participation in 2014. Eurocrats would be forced to cut funds to multiple projects and also increase the budget contributions of the other 27 member states.
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