Sunday, January 04, 2026 | 08:18 PM ISTहिंदी में पढें
Business Standard
Notification Icon
userprofile IconSearch

Demand for Brexit deal: European Union can 'go whistle', says Boris Johnson

The sum of money EU is demanding from Britain 'seem to be extortionate', he said

Boris Johnson

Vote Leave campaigner Boris Johnson holds a press conference at Vote Leave headquarters in London

Reuters London

The sums of money the European Union (EU) is demanding from Britain as part of its Brexit settlement "seem to be extortionate", Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Tuesday.

The EU puts Britain's exit bill at tens of billions of euros, partly to cover a share of future EU budget commitments made while it was a member.

Asked by a lawmaker in parliament if the EU should be told to "go whistle" if it wants more money from Britain, Johnson said: "I think that the sums that I have seen ... seem to me to be extortionate and I think go whistle is an entirely appropriate expression."

 

"Go whistle" is a phrase that means to ask for something with little chance of obtaining it.

Johnson also said the government had not made any plans for failing to reach a deal with the EU.

Don't miss the most important news and views of the day. Get them on our Telegram channel

First Published: Jul 11 2017 | 5:21 PM IST

Explore News