Thread by @JenniferMerode

Boris Johnson: Getting a Brexit deal "not made much easier by this kind of stuff in parliament, or in the courts".

Is that true? Focusing purely on Brussels negotiations - I would say no.

Of course may be other reasons why SC decision makes it harder for gov - loss of gov time, energy and political capital.

But on substance of negotiations nothing has changed.

EU thinks UK has failed to come up with adequate replacement for Irish backstop. That was EU view before judgement and (unsurprisingly) is view now.

That was why Michel Barnier told Stephen Barclay on Friday that talks had gone backwards - Theresa May had agreed to “legally operative” plan i.e. backstop, but Boris Johnson has not come up with anything EU deems credible.

EU reaction to Supreme Court (paraphrased): 'it’s another mindblowing moment, but the pathway to a deal remains as before'

The chances of an extension request now seem higher than ever.

Questions in minds of EU officials: 1. Will technical talks with David Frost still take place on Wednesday ? as were expected
2. Much bigger - will Boris Johnson move towards NI-only backstop with some extras on consent for NI ? (extras that would fall short of an NI veto).

General mood: Brussels is a city of lawyers and politicians, so people welcome clear verdict.
Also seen as very much a domestic episode in the fascinating and wearying Brexit story.

ends