Thread by @Barnes_Joe

1: Some raised eyebrows on both sides of the Channel after leaked plans for 'customs clearance centres' on either side of the Irish border to help replace the backstop emerge from @tconnellyRTE

2: EU diplomats largely keeping cool heads as no official proposals have been tabled by Boris Johnson. But perhaps in more hope than expectation? A source says: 'We haven't seen a paper yet and are certain that the UK takes the Northern Irish border as serious as we do.'

3: Is Brussels expecting something largely different to what was leaked last night? Source adds: 'It's along the lines we expect. Minimal effort and a very England-centric approach to the border and the idea the EU is wanting a deal at all costs.'

4: A genuine frustration across EU capitals that they've had to rely on briefings from Michel Barnier on the four non-papers… 'We're very happy with the way we've been informed by Barnier, it's just a shame he can't show us everything,' says one diplomat.

5: Does this mean the EU side is losing patience with London? Publicly, the 27 will remain calm but they do now want to move on from Brexit… Bigger fish to fry with trade deals like Mercosur on the horizon is just one theory.

6: London is also attempting to distance itself from leaked proposals… 'A misrepresentation of our proposals,' says one UK source.

'I'd say it was surprising if the UK was actually proposing a string of border posts five miles from the border,' they add.

7: Boris Johnson told the BBC it was just another Brussels leak but refused to go into the details that he is expected to explain to EU leaders.

8: Also some suggestions that the plans are very similar to what Ireland could implement after a no-deal Brexit. Questions have been raised why would EU engage when 'the marginal benefit of a deal envisaged by the UK are to minimal to do a deal in return', a source says.