European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has said blame for a no-deal Brexit will lie “solely” with the UK Government after talks on a last-minute deal stalled.
The comments came after Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay met with the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels yesterday.
Mr Barnier stressed to Mr Barclay that any Withdrawal Agreement must include a solution to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland.
He said the UK government’s proposed solution to the backstop would put the single market at risk.
A commission statement said: “Michel Barnier stressed that it is essential that there is a fully operational solution in the Withdrawal Agreement to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, protect the all-island economy and the integrity of the Single Market.
“The EU remains open and willing to examine any workable and legally operative proposals that meet all these objectives.”
Mr Juncker, speaking to German press following the meeting, said: “An exit of the British from the EU without agreement would be a disaster for the United Kingdom and for the European continent.
“Our chief negotiator Michel Barnier and I are doing everything we can to reach an agreement. If this fails in the end, the responsibility lies solely with the British side.”
