France threatens to veto further Brexit extension

French foreign minister decries 'worrying' lack of progress as EU diplomats express frustration

The French government has threatened to veto a further Brexit extension due to the "worrying" lack of progress in the recent talks, as EU diplomats expressed their frustration at being caught up in game-playing by the British government.

In a sign of rising exasperation, the French foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, highlighted the lack of realistic proposals being put forward by Downing Street as an alternative to the Irish backstop.