The Leader of the House of Commons has accused the EU of “playing games” following Brussels’ latest Brexit proposal as tensions rise during last-ditch negotiations.
Andrea Leadsom said she was “deeply disappointed with what we’re hearing coming out of the EU” with just days to go before the latest vote on Theresa May’s latest Brexit plans.
It followed an unprecedented Twitter clash between Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay and the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier on Friday.
Mr Barclay claimed Brussels was trying to “rerun old arguments” in negotiations as he demanded the EU agree to “balanced proposals”.
Hours earlier, Mr Barnier had indicated that the UK did not like the deal on the table, it could accept an alternative previously rejected by the PM.
Less than three weeks before Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, Mrs May has failed to secure the changes to her controversial Brexit deal.
At the heart of the dispute is a disagreement over how to manage the border between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland.
On Friday, Mr Barnier put forward a proposal to keep the border open and keep the province subject to EU rules, prompting London to reject it.
Following the suggestion, Ms Leadsom told Reuters: “There is still hope, but I have to say I’m deeply disappointed with what we’re hearing coming out of the EU.
“I do have to ask myself what game are they playing here.”
Asked who would be to blame if Mrs May loses the parliamentary vote again on Tuesday, Mrs Leadsom said: “I would point to the EU needing to work closely with us.
“We are hoping we will be able to win that vote but that does depend on the EU coming to the table and taking seriously the (UK’s) proposals.”