European Union is set to ‘sideline chief negotiator Michel Barnier’ to crack Brexit deadlock
The EU is set to sideline Michel Barnier to try to crack the Brexit negotiations deadlock, it was reported tonight.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to stand Brussels’ chief negotiator aside to help bring about a trade deal with the UK.
Heads of the 27 remaining member states are believed to be taking over the role after a speech from Mrs von der Leyen on September 16.
They hope the move will heal divisions – with Britain and the EU blaming each other for the stalemate – between the two sides as the timer on negotiations ticks down.
The EU is set to sideline Michel Barnier (pictured) to try to crack the Brexit negotiations deadlock, it was reported tonight
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (pictured) is expected to stand Brussels’ chief negotiator aside to help bring about a trade deal with the UK
An EU diplomat told the Telegraph Mrs von der Leyen is expected to ‘set the scene to sideline Barnier and [the UK’s David] Frost to find a high level political solution’.
The European Commission president, German chancellor Angela Merkel and President of the European Council Charles Michel ‘will then lead talks’ for the EU.
The Commission would not be drawn on the ‘State of the Union’ speech when approached by the Telegraph.
It comes as Lord Frost warned Brussels’ demands on fishing and state subsidies could ‘limit the progress’ made in talks next week.
In a sign the UK could be edging closer to a No Deal Brexit, Mr Frost said: ‘The EU still insists we change our positions on state aid and fisheries if there are to be substantive textual discussions on anything else.
‘From the very beginning we have been clear about what we can accept in these areas, which are fundamental to our status as an independent country.
‘We will negotiate constructively but the EU’s stance may, realistically, limit the progress we can make next week.’
His comments on Twitter came after Mr Barnier said while Britain can regain control of its waters, ‘the fish which are inside those waters’ are ‘another story’.
The bloc wants to retain access for its fishing boats, but No 10 is adamant that British trawlers will be given priority.
Brussels is also demanding a ‘level playing field’ on state aid rules, which would effectively tie Britain to EU regulations after the transition period finishes at the end of the year.
Boris Johnson insisted yesterday the UK will ‘prosper mightily’ regardless of the outcome of the trade talks.
Asked about hauliers’ concerns about chaos at the border, Mr Johnson said: ‘We’re ready for any eventuality, of course.
‘But we must make sure that people understand that, at the end of the year, whatever happens, we are leaving the EU, leaving the transition period. We will get through this.
The EU is demanding continued access to UK waters for the bloc’s fishing boats but Number 10 is adamant that British trawlers will be given priority. A fishing vessel is pictured working in the English Channel on August 10
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This map shows the extent of the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone – the waters Britain will take back control of after Brexit. At the moment the EEZ of every EU member state is merged into one large zone which can be accessed by fishermen from all over Europe.
‘It’s absolutely vital that our partners understand that the UK is going to do what we need to do.’
The Road Haulage Association is among seven logistics groups which have written to Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove, warning that the supply chain from the EU will be ‘severely disrupted’ next year without urgent action to plug ‘significant gaps’ in our preparations.
A No 10 spokesman said in response: ‘We have been working closely with industry throughout and will continue to do so. We will get through this.’