Blow for PM as EU drops Brexit talks
Talks between the UK and European Union will not take place this weekend as anticipated after the European
Commission said Boris Johnson's new Brexit proposals "do not provide a basis for concluding an agreement".
EU Commission spokeswoman Natasha Bertaud said discussions on the prime minister's plan to replace the Irish backstop would not take place this weekend, but that the UK would be given "another opportunity to present its proposals in detail" on Monday.
She said: "Michel Barnier debriefed (officials) yesterday, where Member States agreed that the UK proposals do not provide a basis for concluding an agreement."
Mr Johnson is expected to embark on a tour of European capitals for face-to-face talks next week as well as continuing to speak by phone to counter...