The deputy head of the European Commission has warned that the risk for Britain leaving the bloc in a disorderly manner at the end of March has increased significantly despite efforts by London to secure a divorce deal signed in November.
European Commission First Vice President Frans Timmermans said Thursday that Britain would certainly crash out of the EU unless political factions in the country could agree on an alternative mechanism.
“The risk of leaving without a deal has increased,” said Timmermans, adding that his fear in the last couple of weeks had increased that Britain “might crash out even if they don’t want to”.
The EU official said Brussels was willing to help Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal go through the British parliament. However, he said those pressing the EU to remove a clause in the deal dedicated to the future of the Irish border were deeply wrong to think that the bloc would compromise on the…