Boris Johnson cancels Brexit press conference appearance leaving Luxembourg PM speaking next to empty lectern

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Boris Johnson left Luxembourg’s Prime Minister stood next to an empty lectern after he failed to appear at a scheduled press conference.

He later decided to give a statement on his own to a small group following a meeting with Xavier Bettel, his counterpart in Luxembourg.

Mr Johnson confirmed his appearance was cancelled over fears the pair would have been “drowned out” by pro-EU protesters.

Mr Bettel continued with the conference unperturbed and said: “I know that the UK Government is unhappy with the Withdrawal Agreement as it stands.

“That’s why I thought it was important to speak to Prime Minister Johnson to get proposals.

“We need more than just words."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson poses for photographers on the balcony of the UK ambassadors residence prior to giving a statement
AP

He added that it was Mr Johnson’s responsibility to secure a deal and gestured at the empty podium beside him as he said: "Now it's on Mr Johnson - he holds the future of all UK citizens and every EU citizen living in the UK in his hands.

"It's his responsibility. Your people, our people, count on you - but the clock is ticking, use your time wisely."

Explaining his no show, Mr Johnson said: "I don’t think it would’ve been fair to the Prime Minister of Luxembourg.“I think there was clearly going to be a lot of noise.“And I think our points might’ve been drowned out.”

The conference came after Mr Johnson left a working lunch with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.

Xavier Bettel gestures at the empty lectern
REUTERS

Mr Johnson and Mr Juncker greeted each other warmly before their first face-to-face discussions since the PM took office.

Downing Street later described the talks as "constructive", but the European Commission denied any signs of a Brexit breakthrough.

The European Commission insisted no progress had been made in breaking the Irish backstop deadlock.

Mr Johnson insists the hard border prevention policy must be removed before a deal can be struck with the EU, but the bloc says no agreement will be reached without a viable alternative.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker shakes hands with Prime Minister Boris Johnson
AP

In a statement following the lunchtime get together, the Commission said Mr Johnson had not yet made any suggestions on how to solve the impasse.

The statement said it was the “UK's responsibility” to propose "legally operational solutions compatible with the Withdrawal Agreement” to prevent a hard border in Ireland.

It went on: "President Juncker underlined the Commission's continued willingness and openness to examine whether such proposals meet the objectives of the backstop.

“Such proposals have not yet been made.”

Meanwhile, Downing Street offered its own response to the talks, emphasising that the Prime Minister was determined to “reach a deal with the backstop removed”.

A spokeswoman for No10 said: “The Prime Minister reconfirmed his commitment to the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement and his determination to reach a deal with the backstop removed, that UK parliamentarians could support.

"The Prime Minister also reiterated that he would not request an extension and would take the UK out of the EU on October 31.

"The leaders agreed that the discussions needed to intensify and that meetings would soon take place on a daily basis.

"It was agreed that talks should also take place at a political level between Michel Barnier and the Brexit Secretary, and conversations would also continue between president Juncker and the Prime Minister."

The two leaders were joined for a lunch of snails, salmon and cheese by the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay.

While the restaurant itself was closed to the public, the streets were filled with pro-EU protesters, who clamoured for the PM to hold another referendum or revoke Article 50.

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