U.K. says chances of Brexit deal slim; EU chides “blame game”

LONDON» Great Britain and the European Union traded ill-tempered barbs Tuesday as the U.K. said a Brexit deal might be impossible, while insisting it was still working for one with just over three weeks until its scheduled departure from the bloc.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office said EU intransigence led to a breakdown in negotiations, prompting a top European leader to warn against playing a “stupid blame game” — and chide Johnson in Latin.

Johnson’s office gave a gloomy assessment after his call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday.

In a statement to U.K. media, Downing Street said Merkel had told Johnson that “a deal is overwhelmingly unlikely” unless the U.K. agreed to let Northern Ireland continue to follow EU customs rules in order to maintain an open border with EU member Ireland.

That is something the British government says it can’t accept. Downing Street said that “if this represents a new established position, then it means a deal is essentially impossible not just now but ever.” How people and goods will move across the Irish border is the main sticking point to a deal.

The German government confirmed that Merkel and Johnson had spoken but declined to comment on the substance of “confidential conversations.”

European Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said “the EU position has not changed. We want a deal. We are working for a deal with the U.K.”

European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted testily that “what’s at stake is not winning some stupid blame game.”

“At stake is the future of Europe and the U.K. as well as the security and interests of our people,” he said, addressing Johnson. “You don’t want a deal, you don’t want an extension, you don’t want to revoke, quo vadis?” — a Latin phrase meaning “where are you going?”

Despite the grim mood music, British officials insisted they still hope to strike a deal before the U.K.’s scheduled Oct. 31 departure date — although Johnson has also said the U.K. will leave even if one is not struck.

“We’ve moved — it is now time for the EU to move too,” said Michael Gove, the minister in charge of Brexit preparations. “If it does, there is still every chance we can leave with a new deal.”