Stark Brexit warning as EU will use Horizon programme to ‘maintain UK hostage’

Despite jubilation from the Government and Remainer Lib Dems, senior Brexiteers have issued a important warning in regards to the UK’s impending re-entry into the EU’s Horizon science programme.

This morning Rishi Sunak stated the news is the “right deal” for the UK and for British taxpayers, after sealing the cope with EU Commission president Ursula von Der Leyen on Wednesday night time.

The UK will rejoin each the Horizon and Copernicus schemes, with British taxpayers forking out an as-of-yet unknown membership price.

Scientists will be capable of apply for grants from the £85 billion EU programme, one thing scientists have lengthy been calling for.

Copernicus membership may also see the UK rejoin the EU’s statement satellite tv for pc programme.

The Lib Dems have been delighted on the news, inflicting Brexiteers to pause for thought, with the pro-EU celebration saying it’s a “positive step forward. It’s about time”.

They additionally demanded the federal government now have a look at signing as much as different EU schemes, additional watering down Britain’s post-Brexit independence.

This afternoon, main Brexiteer Lord Frost has performed down allegations Britain’s re-entry is a “post Brexit shift” in relations between the bloc and the UK Government.

Lord Frost factors out it was his staff who tried negotiating entry in 2020, just for the EU to dam Britain.

He issued a warning to No. 10 that the deal should be higher than earlier membership necessities, and should make up for us “having been excluded for nearly three years”.

A senior supply from the hardline Brexit group of Tory MPs, the ERG, additionally warned the EU will now be capable of maintain Britain’s membership of Horizon “hostage” if the UK Government ever tries enacting insurance policies the EU doesn’t agree with.

They informed the Express: “It was already agreed that the UK would be able to join in the UK’s trade agreement. Yet the EU locked us out of it for three years due to an unrelated dispute regarding Northern Ireland”.

“The EU has therefore already demonstrated that they are prepared to hold the UK’s participation hostage as leverage to pursue their other interests.

“Why would they not do it once more? The hazard is the UK will now must adjust to the EU’s pursuits throughout the entire vary of topics from fishing to finance, or the EU will lock us out and mobilise a prepared made claque of UK lecturers who will go up in arms demanding the UK surrenders.”

They added there’s additionally “serious concern” over whether or not membership of Horizon represents worth for cash.

Brexiteers may also be involved on the EU’s personal Horizon manifesto, which units out the programme isn’t nearly science funding however “[boosting] the EU’s competitiveness and growth]”.

It stays to be seen whether or not British taxpayers and scientists will now additionally work in direction of that purpose.