THE Prime Minister’s attempt to speak directly with Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron failed this afternoon as officials said all negotiations must go through the European Commission.
Boris Johnson requested a three-way phone call with the French president and German chancellor in an effort to unblock failing Brexit talks.
A senior EU official said it had been rejected as the commission should not be bypassed to discuss matters with individual leaders. The UK is not denying the claim.
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It comes after both the UK and EU starkly warned that a No-Deal Brexit is becoming increasingly likely.
Johnson described an exit with no trade agreement as “very, very likely” this morning, while commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the outcome was now more likely than not.
Johnson and Macron in June
EU leaders were not impressed with Johnson’s effort to bypass the commission to speak to the French and German leaders.
Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, reacted to Johnson’s suggestion he could travel to Paris and Berlin to secure a deal, saying: "I would like to invite him to stay in London and work hard. Capitals don't negotiate, Barnier does, and he has our full support."
A Number 10 spokesperson repeatedly refused to say whether the call had been snubbed this afternoon.
Pressed again the spokesperson added: "I would refer you back to my previous answer. The PM has a clear willingness to talk to other leaders."
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