THREAD: EU27 ambassadors meeting to discuss the Brexit delay ended in 'frustration' with a 26 vs France scenario as they failed to agree on the length of extension 1/
All of the senior diplomats left the two-hour meeting in agreement that there should be a Brexit delay. EU26 plus Commission, Council and Parliament support the January 31 'flextension'. France is said to be pushing for a much, much shorter delay. 2/
During the meeting, Paris said the EU must maintain pressure on MPs in the Commons to conclude ratification of Boris Johnson's Brexit deal and a long delay could stall that process. 3/
Other member states warned that France's approach would amount to interfering in the UK's domestic politics and runs the risk of an 'accidental no-deal Brexit'. Several ambassadors told France they are being 'too rigid' with their hardline position 3/
Talks will continue during the weekend, over telephone and email, to see if they can find a consensus around the length of the next Brexit delay. EU ambassadors will meet again on Monday or Tuesday to hopefully finalise the deal 4/
If EU capitals are still in disagreement after Tuesday the chances of an emergency European summit become 'very high' with the latest date considered to be October 30, as per one source. ENDS
