Brexit deadlock after ‘weeks of UK nonsense’

BREXIT negotiations have ended ahead of a summit of EU leaders next week with “serious divergences” relating to the Irish Border.

EU chief Michel Barnier said “a lot more work” needed to be done to find a workable way of keeping the Border open once Northern Ireland leaves the EU.

However, it is understood there are no plans for further talks before EU leaders gather to decide the next steps in Brussels on June 28.

Irish Government sources expressed massive frustration at the development last night, saying there had been “weeks of nonsense from some people on the British side who should know better”.

“We have seen swings, roundabouts and buffer zones from Westminster and then finally a customs paper that arrived far too late in the day and provoked far more questions than answers.

“The only assessment can be that the British have not done what they have said they would do,” a senior source told the Irish Independent.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar must now weigh up whether Ireland should seek the backing of other countries to pause the negotiations.

All options will be discussed with Mr Barnier and EU Commission President Jean Claude Juncker when they visit Dublin tomorrow.

The breakdown came as a draft document setting out the conclusions of next week’s European Council summit shows leaders want increased planning for a no-deal scenario.

The leaked document says the council will express “concern that no substantial progress has yet been achieved on agreeing a backstop solution for Ireland/Northern Ireland”.

It calls on “member states and all stakeholders to step up their work on preparedness at all levels for all outcomes”.

In a joint statement last night, the EU and UK said progress had been made in a number of areas, including customs, VAT and nuclear waste regulation.

It is understood the statement was due to be issued early yesterday but was repeatedly delayed due to rows in London.

Mr Barnier last night warned the UK there would be no agreement in October without a deal on Ireland.

“The withdrawal agreement must contain a fully operational backstop solution for Ireland and Northern Ireland,” he said.

The ‘backstop’ would see the North maintain regulations that are aligned with the EU to avoid a physical border on the island.