Prime Minister Theresa May last year signed an agreement with her EU colleagues to allow Britain's orderly departure from the European Union on March 29. But British euro sceptics objected to a so-called "backstop" in the deal that binds Britain into an EU customs union until new trading ties are agreed. EU leaders insist, however, that the withdrawal agreement is not open to renegotiation. And now, the head of the European Parliament's Brexit steering group, Liberal group leader Guy Verhofstadt, has warned Europe would not ratify the change anyway. "The EU remains clear, firm and united on this, even if the negotiated backstop is not meant to be used... without such an 'all-weather' backstop insurance, the European Parliament will not give its consent to the Withdrawal Agreement."

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 24, 2019 14:15 UTC