No-deal Brexit is only alternative to Chequers plan, says Lidington | The Guardian |

The Cabinet Office minister, David Lidington, has warned that relations between Britain and France are at "a fork in the road" - and the only alternative to the prime minister's Chequers plan is a no-deal Brexit.

Ministers are concerned the French government remains deeply sceptical about the approach spelled out in its July white paper, prompting Theresa May to fly to Emmanuel Macron's holiday home earlier this month to try to win the president over.

David Lidington warns EU that Chequers plan is only alternative to no-deal | The Independent |

Speaking to the Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF) conference, Mr Lidington said: "With exactly seven months until the end of Article 50 process and less than two months ahead of the October European Council, we face the choice between the pragmatic proposals we are discussing now with the European Commission, or no deal.

"The alternative models do not meet the level of ambition or the outcome we all want to see delivered.

"So, we need the EU to engage with us on our positive vision of the future relationship."

He added: "I truly feel that we are at a fork in the road. There are trends on both sides of the Channel, both sides of the North Sea, and both sides of the Atlantic that could see us drift apart."

○ France and Germany make contingency plans for no-deal Brexit | France24 |

'Sapere aude'