Mubasher: The European Union (EU) shot down Boris Johnson’s plan for the UK’s departure from the bloc, shortly after his election as the new leader of the ruling Conservative Party, the Independent reported.

Former London Mayor Johnson secured a victory against his rival Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Known for his hardline stance on Brexit, Johnson pledged that he would use the suspension of payments owed to the EU to force the bloc’s leadership back to the negotiating table.

However, the EU does not plan to negotiate, the European Commission’s first vice president Frans Timmermans told reporters.

“I think the position of the EU is also clear: the United Kingdom reached an agreement with the European Union and the European Union will stick with that agreement,” Timmermans was quoted by the Independent.

“We will hear what the new prime minister has to say when he comes to Brussels,” he said.

The EU has repeatedly said that discussions would not be re-opened on the withdrawal deal, which was inked with Theresa May last year and rejected members of the parliament three times.