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Brexit chiefs see Britain as 'child who cannot take no for an answer'
GETTY IMPOSSIBLE: Michel Barnier said the UK government keeps asking for impossible things. The EU’s main negotiator Michel Barnier told member states the UK government keeps “asking for impossible things”.
Another official said Brussels feared Britain will talk tough on issues around citizens’ rights but then compromise at the last minute in return for leeway on the bill for quitting the bloc, which could be up to £75bn.
The source said: “That’s why Barnier wants the issues of citizens’ rights and the financial settlement done at the same time, not one after the other.”.
GETTY NOT HAPPENING: Joseph Muscat claimed the UK’s exit from the EU may not happen. Source Malta’s Prime Minister Joseph Muscat claimed the UK’s exit from the EU may not happen and called for another vote on what Brits want from Brexit.
He said: “For the first time, I’m starting to believe that Brexit will not happen. Doubt is creeping in.
It would be good if a political leader in the UK stands up and is courageous enough to address this new situation.” The European Council is due to rule at the end of October if progress has been made on citizens’ rights, the divorce bill and the border in Ireland before talks move to the future relationship with the bloc.
Mr Barnier slammed the government for failing to provide enough details on key issues.
One Brussels source said: “He didn’t mention any particular area – it was more general – but he said the UK was not providing enough position papers and the chances were not big of sufficient progress being made by October.” The European Parliament’s Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt has warned the British to speed up discussions.
GETTY SPEED UP: Guy Verhofstadt has warned the British to speed up discussions. He said: “If we want negotiations to succeed within the limited time, progress on more detailed content will have to be made sooner rather than later.
“The European Parliament cannot be clear enough that sufficient progress means across the board, and not just one or two areas.”.