EU seeks clarity from May on her Brexit blueprint

May’s plan for Brexit – outlined in a white paper released to MPs in the House of Commons last week – has divided the already split Tory party.

The EU has warned business to get ready for Britain crashing out of the bloc without agreed terms, although officials and diplomats still think some kind of deal is more likely than not, if only because the cost for both sides would be so high.

In remarks to the House of Commons, Johnson criticised Prime Minister Theresa May’s plans for exiting the European Union, describing it as a clean departure “in name only”.

The Irish border question is proving to be the thorniest issue in the Brexit talks – and the PM’s attempts to broker a compromise to keep the crossing soft has nearly cost Mrs May her premiership.

Barnier accepted that the White Paper had brought about “constructive discussions” and they are “not that far” from reaching an agreement.

“So, when you say, ‘is it flexible?’, it’s not in the sense of they’re going to wriggle away at it and we’re going to accept it”.

Media captionWhat will Brexit mean for expat dogs?

In an apparent jibe at the political turmoil ripping the Conservative Party apart, Barnier said “intense” debate about the direction of Brexit is “not over”.

Davies has submitted a letter of no confidence in the PM to the chair of the backbench 1922 Committee over her “unacceptable” post-Brexit trade deal, according to the Yorkshire Post.

Barnier said the blueprint also had good points after he discussed it with Britain’s new Brexit negotiator, named after a rebellion against Prime Minister Theresa May.

The European Commission has issued a warning to governments, businesses and citizens in the 27 remaining EU states to prepare for “significant disruption” as a result of Brexit.

An EU diplomat said they were “really happy” to have the Chequers plan on the table, but said questions remain about the feasibility of key proposals on customs and a single market for goods.

And she took a swipe at former foreign secretary Boris Johnson’s claim – repeated in his resignation speech to the Commons on Wednesday – that technological solutions could be used to avoid the need for infrastructure at the border.

The potential impasse between Brussels and the United Kingdom over a future customs arrangement in regards to the Northern Irish border problem has led both sides to step up preparations for a “no deal” Brexit.

Barnier’s statement will have done little to assuage Breixteer concerns that the Prime Minister – who backed Remain during the European Union referendum – is saying one thing to the British public and another to the Brussels elite.