Thread by @JamesCrisp6

Michel Barnier has given interview to several European papers. He says the backstop is not the central issue in Brexit deadlock. He blames a debate on what kind of country UK wants to be in future. He insists that backstop is only way to prevent hard border on table.
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He insists no deal Brexit means checks on Irish border, which shows yesterday's unprecedented clarity from commission was not frelancing but effort to keep Dublin and London in line. Puts Leo Varadkar in difficult situation, as Dublin admitted yesterday 2/

Barnier also suggests there is *readiness" in London (meaning house of Commons) to have a customs union or participation in single market. A closer relationship. Repeats EU ready to offer that if May changes her red lines 3/

Source told me yesterday EU was ready if asked to rework, rather than just renegotiate, the whole political declaration to facilitate a closer relationship. As stands PD allows for Canada or Norway. Of course closer relationship, more obligations (ECJ etc). 4/

"Things could start moving rapidly. (A reference to amendments?) We are ready to be more ambitious if British decide to shift their red lines, for example by remaining in a customs union, or participating in the single market. I believe there is a readiness in London for that." 5

Here's @diego_bxl interview with @MichelBarnier which has been translated into English. Worth a look. Seems like Brussels thinks MPs, as Verhofstadt said yesterday, will "take back control" of Brexit. Ends
luxtimes.lu/european-union…