Risk of no-deal Brexit increased, says EU chief

BRUSSELS (AA) – European Commission president on Wednesday said the risk of no-deal Brexit has increased following the House of Commons’ vote.</p> <p>Addressing the European Parliament, Jean-Claude Juncker said Brexit was and still is a “bad idea,” and the House of Common’s Tuesday decision “has further increased the risk of a disorderly exit of the U.K.” which is possibly the “worst scenario.”</p> <p>On Tuesday, the British parliament gave a mandate to Prime Minister Theresa May to remove the backstop clause from her Brexit deal and negotiate “alternative arrangements” with the European Union.</p> <p>However, Juncker said: “The withdrawal agreement is the best and only deal possible,” adding that the EU will not renegotiate the deal.</p> <p>&quot;I believe we need a safety net that secures us against this risk […] Ireland's border is Europe's border and it's our union's priority,&quot; he added.</p> <p>Speaking at the EU parliament, EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier also said: &quot;We are fearing more than ever, that there is a risk of a no deal, and we still are focused on avoiding that scenario.</p> <p>“The EU institution remains united and we stand by the agreement we have negotiated with the U.K., never against the U.K.”</p> <p>The U.K. is set to leave the EU on March 29.