MICHEL Barnier has made a dramatic U-turn and warned the European Union to prepare for a no-deal Brexit only a day after insisting the bloc was preparing to offer the UK a deal like no other third country.
Brussels’ negotiator declared member states must be prepared for every Brexit outcome in a bombshell statement, adding: “That includes the no-deal scenario.”
His latest intervention comes only a day after the pound climbed to its highest level, making a one percent jump, against the US dollar since August 3, on the back of a pledge to offer Britain a unique partnership.
The climb to $1.3014 represented sterlings biggest daily rise in two months. Even against the euro it made a similar jump, rising to €1.118.
On Thursday, Mr Barnier toned down his comments in an attempt to clarify the previous remarks on an offer to Britain.“This is not a poker game because it’s not a game,” he told German broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.
"Brexit is not a game, it is far too serious.
"Our responsibility, including the business world, the unions, the citizens, the governments, is to be prepared for all options, this also includes a no deal scenario."
After meeting German foreign minister Heiko Maas on Wednesday, Mr Barnier said Brussels was preparing to offer Britain a unique partnership as negotiations enter their final stages.
The Frenchman is preparing to set out a future relationship that would be “as close as possible”.
He added: “We are ready to propose a partnership like we have never had before with any third country.”
Speaking to Deutschlandfunk, Mr Barnier explained what such an offer could contain.
He said: "27 heads of state and government, including Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, have proposed a unique partnership with the United Kingdom.
"Not just a simple trade partnership for goods and certain services via a free trade agreement.
"That was our proposal and we are glad that the United Kingdom has agreed to it.
"In specific areas, from aviation to university and research cooperation, to internal and external security and foreign policy, we are ready to create this strong and unprecedented partnership."
As negotiations enter their most crucial phase, Mr Barnier concluded with a warning on the Irish border, which still remains top of the list of uncompleted elements in the withdrawal agreement.
Farage warns not to trust Barnier's positive Brexit approach
He said the issue is the "most sensitive point" of the talks but believes an outcome ins entirely "possible".
The stalled negotiations have led to EU leaders to allow the completion final withdrawal agreement to slip into November as the informal October deadline looks out of reach.
Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab told the House of Lords' EU Committee a deal is "within our sights", adding there is "some measure of leeway" on the October deadline.
He will travel to Brussels on Thursday night ahead of his "continuous" negotiations promised as part of the UK and EU's efforts to finalise the Brexit withdrawal agreement.
