EU's Barnier says Britain won't get transition without Brexit deal

Brussels - May's deal faces a likely defeat, raising the danger of Britain severing ties with its biggest trade partner.

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned British lawmakers on March 12 against the "dangerous illusion" that they could benefit from a transition period even without a proper divorce deal.
As British MPs prepared to vote on the deal struck by Prime Minister Theresa May, Barnier made a dramatic late intervention on Twitter to stress that Brussels would not agree to interim arrangements to cushion the blow of a no-deal Brexit.
"Listening to debate in @HouseofCommons: there seems to be a dangerous illusion that the UK can benefit from a transition in the absence of the WA (withdrawal agreement," Barnier tweeted.
"Let me be clear: the only legal basis for a transition is the WA. No withdrawal agreement means no transition."
May's deal faces a likely defeat, raising the danger of Britain severing ties with its biggest trade partner on March 29 without a deal and being plunged into economic chaos.
Transitional arrangements to wind down Britain's involvement with the EU form part of the agreement - but need parliament's approval to take effect.
Some Brexit-supporting MPs have argued that contingency measures announced by the EU that would come into effect in the event of no deal would effectively operate as a mini transition deal - a notion strongly rejected by Brussels officials.