For a moment, I thought Monsieur Barnier had smiled

His implication was clear: time is running out and it’s Theresa May’s fault. His remarks appeared to be a polite way of saying ‘Look, we’re miles behind schedule’

Michel Barnier rarely smiles, at any rate when he’s having to talk about Brexit. From time to time, though, you get a strange sense that he’s enjoying himself – in a dark, gloating kind of way. Read, for example, the remarks he made yesterday, during his brief visit to Number 10.

“In a very short time,” said the EU’S chief negotiator, “we are to advance on three fronts .... Let me recall that the UK Government decided on the UK date of withdrawal: the 29th of March, 2019. It was its sovereign decision .... ”

His implication was clear: time is running out, and it’s Theresa May’s fault. Essentially, his remarks appeared to be a polite way of saying: “Look, we’re miles behind schedule. But don’t blame me. Maybe we could have had more time to negotiate, if your Prime Minister hadn’t wasted two months holding a general election. Remind me: how did that turn out for her, again?” Monsieur Barnier was speaking alongside David Davis, the Brexit Secretary. The two men had lunch together, and were now, in turn, giving brief statements to camera.

The event followed the usual pattern. First, Mr Davis, speaking with the determined optimism of a football manager convinced his side’s luck is finally about to improve (“We’ve been having very constructive conversations today...we’re confident we can get that political agreement at the March economic council”). Then, Monsieur Barnier, as ever grim with foreboding (“Without the customs union, outside the single market, barriers to trade in goods and services are unavoidable”).

After their statements, there was time for a single question from the media. “Mr Davis,” said a journalist. “We’re leaving the customs union, but how can your government, how can your party, ever agree what the alternative arrangement should be? And Monsieur Barnier: do you have any idea what the UK wants, and whether it’s at all achievable?” Monsieur Barnier opened his mouth to answer. For some reason, however, Mr Davis appeared in a tremendous hurry to answer first. “Let me start, Michel!” he said hastily. “Give you time to think!” Mr Davis then answered the question that had in fact been put to Monsieur Barnier. What the UK wanted, he said, was “a comprehensive free-trade agreement and with it a customs arrangement”. This was “perfectly clear”, he added, firmly.

Possibly it was just a trick of the light, but for a moment I almost thought I saw Monsieur Barnier smile.

“I will not give a running commentary,” he said, “on the internal debate in the UK.” An interesting choice of words. “I will not give a running commentary”, as every Brexit-watcher knows, is the catchphrase Mrs May has repeatedly fallen back on whenever she’s been pressed to reveal what it is she actually wants from Brussels.

Monsieur Barnier, it seemed, was making a little joke at his host’s expense. I knew it. He’s enjoying himself. In a dark, gloating kind of way.