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Selmayr and Barnier briefed EU27 ambassadors on Brexit "deadlock" today. Described increasingly "confrontational" mood with Brits & said any House of Commons vote was destined to fail. Commission ramping up its no deal planning and looking eyeing May 24 for end of extension
EU also offered Brits some additional guarantees to make legally binding the "best endeavours" language on the arbitration mechanism. All to be deposited at the UN in Geneva like Cox wanted. But was rejected by the Brits hence "bleak" mood music around Brussels today
Ambassadors were told there is a legal opinion from the European Council which states that a Brexit extension can be granted to June but will be up to leaders to decide whether they want to grant it and the implications for the European Parliament elections
May over the weekend made noises to EU that she could live with the EU's offer of additional guarantees over the backstop, Coreper was told. But subsequently bombed in the cabinet leading to awkward May - Juncker phonecall on Sunday night and cancelled Brussels trip
Specifically Team Barnier offered Brits assurances that the good faith language could be invoked "before" the dispute settlement process kicks in as laid out in the Withdrawal Agreement. Cabinet said no.
Barnier due to have a phonecall with counterpart Barclay this afternoon. A May-Juncker-Barnier meeting in Strasbourg could still happen
