EU leaders are set to tell the Government to “pull yourselves together” and are ready to warn businesses to prepare for Britain crashing out of the bloc with no deal.
They expect little progress to be made at a summit in Brussels, starting a week on Thursday, amid deep splits in the Cabinet and Parliament over Brexit.
They are expected to criticise the Government’s position on a “backstop” arrangement for the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic if no deal is reached on the issue.
“The tone will not please the UK,” said one EU diplomat involved in the talks. “The message to the UK is serious. Pull yourselves together.”
The EU could soften its tone if there are signs of a breakthrough. But there were also warnings today that the shape of a trade deal may only be agreed in December, rather than the autumn, just months before the UK quits the EU.
They came as Theresa May faced the threat of a Commons defeat tomorrow over giving Parliament a “meaningful vote” on a Brexit deal, particularly if there is not one.
MPs will vote on a Lords amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, tabled by Viscount Hailsham and passed with a majority of 119, which would require the Government to allow the Commons to vote on how it would proceed in the absence of a Brexit deal by January 21.
If it came to such a scenario, MPs would be able to amend a motion tabled by the Government but it would not be “justiciable” — so could not be used to block Brexit through the courts.
Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve said he still hoped it would be possible to come to a “sensible compromise” with the Government that would address the concerns of both sides. However, he dismissed suggestions that the rebels would bring down the Government if it was defeated as “complete nonsense”.
Ministers have been accused of reneging on concessions, which rebels say Mrs May signalled, and which staved off a rebellion last week. Asked whether he still trusted the Prime Minister, Mr Grieve said: “I am very conscious that the Prime Minister is in great difficulty ... I have a great understanding of some of the problems she faces.
“I would be very happy if we can resolve this in a way which makes me feel that the trust I always try to place in the Prime Minister is honoured.”
In a speech in Vienna, EU lead negotiator Michel Barnier said the EU needs “strong safeguards” on human rights and data protection in any post-Brexit police and security deal. “This trust doesn’t fall from the sky,” he said.
The Government wants to maintain links to Europol, and continue cross-border extradition under the European arrest warrant post-Brexit.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will visit Dublin on July 10 and 11, Kensington Palace said today. The newly-weds “are looking forward to learning more about Ireland’s history”.
