THE EU 27’s frustration with Boris Johnson and his Brexit strategy was laid bare after the Prime Minister met the bloc's top official Jean-Claude Juncker.
Following their working lunch in Luxembourg City, the European Commission complained that Mr Johnson had still not produced legally operational proposals to replace the Irish backstop.
The frustration was exemplified by Xavier Bettel, the Luxembourg premier, who said: “We need more than just words, we need a legally operational text to work on as soon as possible.”
Demanding clarity, he added: “You can't hold their future hostage for party political gains."
Mr Bettel made his remarks after the PM was forced to pull out of a joint press conference outside Luxembourg’s Ministry of State due to noisy pro-EU protesters.
He mocked Mr Johnson when, before the TV cameras, he gestured to the empty space where his British guest should have been.
"Now it's on Mr Johnson; he holds the future of all UK citizens and every EU citizen living in the UK in his hands. It's his responsibility. Your people, our people, count on you. But the clock is ticking, use your time wisely," he declared.
The PM decided to only give a statement to a small group of journalists assembled at the nearby residence of the British ambassador, insisting: "We've got a good chance of a deal."
But he said it would require movement from the EU side and the Prime Minister again insisted that the UK would leave - with or without an agreement - on October 31.
"Over the last couple of weeks there's been a lot of work, papers have been shared but we are now in the stage where we have to start really accelerating the work. That was the agreement today," he explained.
"We've got to manage this carefully. Yes, we've got a good chance of a deal. Yes, I can see the shape of it. Everybody could see roughly what could be done.
"But it will require movement. And it will require the system in which the EU can control the UK after we leave - the so-called backstop - to go from that treaty," added Mr Johnson.
Following the PM’s humiliation, Tory Brexiteer Andrew Bridgen said: “The EU are repeating the mistakes of the past, encouraged by the antics of a Remain-dominated Parliament. They are misjudging the resolve of the British people and Boris Johnson to leave the EU with or without a deal on October 31.”
But the SNP's Ian Blackford said; "In barely 24 hours, Boris Johnson has gone from being the Incredible Hulk to the Incredible Sulk. It is a humiliating indictment of Boris Johnson’s leadership that he turned on his heel and scurried away rather than face questions."
Last night in a BBC interview, the PM said the EU had had "a bellyful" of the Brexit process and wanted to get a deal.
He told Laura Kuenssberg, the broadcaster's political editor, Brussels was "fed up with endless delays" and wanted to move onto the next phase of trade talks.
She pressed him repeatedly on how he would fulfil his commitment to abide by the law – which requires him to seek a further extension to Brexit – while insisting he would not delay Britain’s withdrawal beyond October 31.
Asked how Mr Johnson intended to “get round” the extension law, noting that he had made clear he not delay Brexit, the PM replied: “I won’t. Here’s, here’s what I want. I will uphold the constitution I will obey the law but we will come out on October 31st.”
But again pressed how he would do this, he said: “We’re going to come out on October 31 and it’s vital that people understand that the UK will not extend. We won’t go on remaining in the EU beyond October. What on earth is the point?”
When it was suggested by Ms Kuenssberg that he was looking at getting round the law, Mr Johnson replied: “Well you know those are your words. What we’re going to do is come out on October 31 deal or no deal.”
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