Brexit: Barnier mocks Johnson's 'third deadline' on talks

Chief negotiator says little prospect yet of EU and UK entering tunnel' negotiations

Michel Barnier has mocked Boris Johnson for issuing a third unilateral deadline" during a meeting with EU ministers, warning that the Brexit talks remain difficult with little prospect yet of the two sides entering a decisive tunnel" negotiation.

With 48 hours remaining before an EU leaders' summit in Brussels, by which time the British prime minister has demanded a breakthrough moment, the EU's chief negotiator suggested a deal was very difficult but still possible".