Nigel Farage offers no-deal Brexit election pact to Boris Johnson

Nigel Farage offers no-deal Brexit election pact to Boris Johnson

The Brexit Party leader says he is putting pressure on the PM because otherwise the chance of no-deal in October would be "zero".

By Aubrey Allegretti, political reporter,
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Nigel Farage vows to field candidates up and down the country in a general election unless there is a clean break with Europe
Farage issues Brexit ultimatum to PM
Nigel Farage has told Sky News his Brexit Party will stand down candidates against the Conservatives if Boris Johnson calls an election and backs a no-deal divorce with the EU.
He offered the non-aggression pact while warning Boris Johnson would "die politically" if he fails to deliver Brexit on 31 October.
It comes after Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn hosted a meeting of opposition MPs to discuss ways to block no-deal in parliament.
Pro-Brexit demonstrators protest opposite the Houses of Parliament in London on December 5, 2018. - British Prime Minister Theresa May returns to the House of Commons today after a series of stunning defeats by MPs that threaten her government and could change the course of Brexit. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)
Image: A no-deal Brexit is the default outcome
A cross-Whitehall government report recently leaked to the Sunday Times warned the scenario would lead to food, medicines and fuel shortages.
Speaking after the unveiling of a raft of new Brexit Party candidates, Mr Farage told Sky News: "If Boris Johnson does do the right thing and does go for a clean break Brexit, then not only would we applaud that, we would want to support and help that project.
"We want to talk to them and come to an accommodation. We're quite prepared to put country before party."
Mr Farage was asked why the Brexit Party was picking candidates given the government is signed up to no-deal if it cannot get Brussels to renegotiate the divorce deal.
"If I announce today we're closing down the Brexit Party because we trust the Conservative Party, the chance of us leaving on 31 October on a clean break Brexit would be hovering at around about zero," he replied.
Earlier in a speech to campaign activists in central London, Mr Farage claimed the Conservatives had "lost so much trust" the "only way" they could win an election is with his support.
Operation Stack in 2015
Image: A government report warned of food, fuel and medicines shortages under no-deal
Mr Johnson has denied plotting to hold one, but a recent spending spree and talk of a no-confidence vote by MPs to oust the prime minister has seen speculation grow that one is imminent.
The chances of a poll were put at more than 50% by Mr Farage.
He added that even if Mr Johnson does win a major concession from the EU and have the Irish backstop removed from the current withdrawal agreement, it would still be a "betrayal" of what Leave supporters voted for in 2016.
Brexit is due to happen by default in fewer than 70 days' time, with MPs returning to Westminster next week from parliament's summer recess to debate the impending date.