Comments by EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier
- If a request for delay is made, it will be up top EU member states to decide
- If Britain wants more than free trade agreement, we can clear that up in the future
- Doesn't think we need more time, but we need decisions
- Question now is why extend negotiations further, and how much time will be needed
- Backstop agreement is about reassuring Irish that there will be no hard border
- Says that backstop reassurances cannot be time limited
- If UK give compromises on the red lines, we are ready to negotiate
Barnier isn't beating around the bush on the backstop reassurances there, but I guess they don't need to anymore since the meaningful vote is out of the window. He's basically just reaffirming that they won't be willing to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement so if May is looking to extend Article 50 in hopes that they would, well tough luck then.
