May and Juncker’s Brexit talks were not a disaster, No 10 insists

The Government has dismissed reports from Brussels that Theresa May was from a "different galaxy" to other EU member states on Brexit.

A leaked account portrays Jean-Claude Juncker’s private dinner with the Prime Minister last week as a disaster.

According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung newspaper, European Commission officials were astonished at Mrs May’s ambition for the talks.

They accused her of having "no plan" and that it was unrealistic to reach a rapid resolution on the status of expatriates, an exit strategy and a trade deal within two years.

The article quotes Mr Juncker as saying that he left the dinner "10 times more sceptical that I was before".

However, a Government source however has told Sky News: "We do not recognise this account.

"As the Prime Minister and Jean-Claude Juncker made clear, this was a constructive meeting ahead of the negotiations formally getting under way."

The FAZ newspaper reported that Mrs May used the dinner to push for an early deal to secure the rights of British workers across the continent.

But Mr Juncker made clear that this could not be settled by June as suggested, given the complex negotiations on topics such as healthcare.

Mr Juncker and Mr Barnier, the chief EU negotiator, were described as astounded by the Prime Minister’s assertion that the UK did not have to pay "a penny" of the Brexit divorce bill.

That claim was slapped down by Mr Juncker, who argued there would be no UK-EU trade deal without a deal on the money.

The FAZ newspaper report concluded that "Brexit cannot be a success".

Labour’s shadow Brexit secretary, Sir Keir Starmer, responded to the report by saying: "Whatever the purpose of these leaks, this is a deeply worrying account and further evidence that Theresa May’s rigid and complacent approach to Brexit negotiations risks leading Britain over a cliff edge.

"Theresa May talks about strengthening her hand, but in reality she has misjudged her hand at every turn, weakening Britain’s position.

"By refusing to acknowledge the complexity and magnitude of the task ahead, the Prime Minister increases the risk that there will be no deal, which is the worst of all possible outcomes."

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said the report showed Theresa Mrs was "guilty of astonishing arrogance and complacency" – and warned the Government is taking the country towards a "disastrous hard Brexit".

For the SNP, Scotland’s minister for UK negotiations with the EU Michael Russell said: "This looming catastrophe shows precisely why Theresa May mustn’t be allowed to block the decision of the Scottish Parliament to give people in Scotland a choice over their future when the terms of Brexit are clear.

"Leaving the EU with no deal – and no agreement on access to the single market – would be an unprecedented act of self-harm which would devastate the UK and Scottish economy.

"It is absolutely essential that we have a strong opposition at Westminster who can hold this kamikaze Tory leader to account and put the Brexit talks under real scrutiny."

(c) Sky News 2017: May and Juncker’s Brexit talks were not a disaster, No 10 insists