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According to an internal note David Frost, UK Sherpa, told European parliament officials in Brussels today that government wanted a deal as its "first option" and "downplayed" the prorogation move from Johnson
Frost did not put forward details on how to change the backstop but said UK was "ready to talk and engage and, above all, get down to the detail but this would need to be accompanied by 'give and take' on both sides. The UK were open to all ideas on solving the Irish border"
He made it "clear that the currently configured backstop, as well as a Northern Ireland only version, were both unacceptable" for the UK. Frost likely to be back in Brussels next week and in weeks running up to October European Council. "It's a process" says one EU official
Frost ruled out the need for a mini extension and said the House of Commons had time ratify any tweaked deal in the "second half of October". EU diplomats don't think having short extension for ratification in London and the European Parliament after 31s would pose problem
Spokesman for the European parliament is now trolling the Brits with hashtag #parliamentarydemocracy
