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Ex-UK FM Boris Johnson compares Brexit deal to 'suicide vest'

Britain's former foreign secretary Boris Johnson (AFP photo)

Former British foreign minister Boris Johnson has renewed his attacks on the UK government’s handling of Brexit talks with the European Union, saying the country will have to accept EU rule forever when it leaves the bloc in March next year.

In an article for The Mail on Sunday newspaper, Johnson said that Prime Minister Theresa May’s strategy for leaving the EU, which is known as the Chequers plan, would mean a suicide for Britain.

“We have opened ourselves to perpetual political blackmail. We have wrapped a suicide vest around the British constitution,” wrote Johnson.

The EU would have the power to “detonate” Britain whenever it wanted, he added.

Johnson, who resigned from May’s cabinet in early July to protest the Chequers plan, said government’s proposals for remaining as close as possible to the EU’s single market after it leaves the bloc  would be a humiliation.

“At every stage in the talks so far, Brussels gets what Brussels wants,” said Johnson, adding, “Under the Chequers proposal we are set to agree to accept their rules – forever – with no say on the making of those rules. It is a humiliation.”

The article, which comes amid speculations that Johnson will replace May if she fails with her Brexit plan, drew extensive ire from the government and members of the ruling Conservative Party.

Interior minister Sajid Javid called on Johnson to think twice before he writes his opinions, saying the language adopted by former cabinet member was controversial.

“I think there are much better ways to articulate your differences. It’s a reminder for all of us in public policy, whichever political party we represent, to use measured language,” said Javid in an interview with the BBC.

Johnson’s article comes amid widespread media coverage of his multiple affairs amid his marriage breakup.

The former London mayor and his wife Marina Wheeler announced in a joint statement on Friday that they had separated for months and divorce proceedings were underway.

There were speculations that Johnson’s Mail article about Brexit was a bid to change the media narrative about his repeated acts of cheating which led to the breakup in his marriage.


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