UK prepares for breakdown in talks with EU

The UK government is preparing for a breakdown in talks with the EU over Brexit this week.

A government official told the BBC the EU had not shown a desire to “budge one centimetre” since Boris Johnson submitted new proposals to Brussels.

Former Tory cabinet minister Amber Rudd – who quit her job over the government’s position on Brexit, and as a Conservative – said the language was “angry and desperate”, and urged the prime minister to focus on getting “clarity” on a deal with “dignity and diplomacy”.

The UK sent new proposals for a Brexit deal to Brussels last week, with Mr Johnson urging the EU to enter detailed talks to “thrash out” any objections.

The main focus is to replace the so-called backstop – the policy negotiated by Theresa May and the EU to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland – which has long been a sticking point with Parliament for agreeing a deal.

Mr Johnson has said the UK will leave the EU on the Brexit deadline of 31 October, with or without a deal.