London, Sep 15 (IANS): Prime Minister Boris Johnson is "committed" to ensuring that a deal for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union is in place by October 31, Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Sunday.
The "entire machinery of government" is focused on getting the Brexit deal, Patel said on BBC's Andrew Marr Show, but declined to reveal details, saying it wasn't "a public negotiation".
Stating almost 10 times that the government was aiming for a deal to leave the EU, and not mentioning once the possibility of leaving without one, Patel also stressed that a condition of her becoming a minister was a government's serious attempt to get a deal.
"When he (Johnson) brought me into government, along with other colleagues, we were clear to him, as he was to us, that our focus is on leaving on October 31 with a deal.
"Our job right now is to absolutely give confidence to securing that deal, and backing the Prime Minister in everything he is doing to secure that deal through the negotiations that are currently under way," she said in the interview.
Patel's statement came even as Johnson said the UK would break out of its "manacles" like 'The Incredible Hulk' in order to leave the EU, media reports said on Sunday.
He had said on Friday that he was "cautiously optimistic" of getting a Brexit deal, but the UK would leave by the deadline "whatever happens", despite MPs passing a new law that would force the Prime Minister to ask the EU for an extension to that deadline if a deal wasn't agreed by October 19.
Patel, however, maintained that Johnson is "fully committed" to getting a deal.
"I hope the country has heard (Johnson's) sheer commitment and determination to ensure that we leave on October 31, and also that the entire machinery of government now is focused on getting that deal and is planning and preparing to leave with a deal.
"My instinct is we have to leave, and we have to leave with a deal on October 31," she said.
Comment on this article
Sachidananda Shetty, Dubai/Mundkur
Mon, Sep 16 2019Madam…. if not possible by British… pls call “Anna” & “Ayya” from Karnataka…. They can make better deal!!!
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ad, mangaluru
Mon, Sep 16 2019would he survive until then politically?
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Jossey Saldanha, Atlanta
Mon, Sep 16 2019Now India has to take over UK ...
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Mangalurian, Mangaluru
Mon, Sep 16 2019Boris has the great desire to leave EU by a certain, albeit totally illogical date. But he does not have a plan.
Wanting to push ahead with one's target, but having no plan, is going to be a disaster.
Many are wondering how the gigantic task of reworking the border logistics is going to be handled, and when.
Or, does Boris think, if one shuts one's eyes to a mega-problem, the mega-problem will vanish into thin air?
Other voices in his Government are no different to our own two-bit actors' voices in the Gujju-led Government. They hold no value.
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Jossey Saldanha, Atlanta
Mon, Sep 16 2019UK can merge with India ...
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Rita, Germany
Mon, Sep 16 2019Problem here is he wants to leave,but doesnt have majority,he has sent many ministers on leave .till oct..some have already resigned before sending them on leave.Have to wait and see what happens.
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ad, mangaluru
Sun, Sep 15 2019Would Boris survive politically until then Priti.
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