EU chief leading Brexit talks issues stark warning ahead of negotiations

The EU chief leading the Brexit negotiations has painted a bleak picture of an “undoubtedly worse off” Britain if the two sides cannot agree a deal.

Writing two days ahead of Theresa May’s expected triggering of Article 50, Michel Barnier said failure in the talks would lead to “severe disruption” at airports and “long queues” for tourists and lorry drivers at Dover.

In an article in the Financial Times he also warned business would be hit by “disruption of supply chains” that could even include “the suspension of nuclear material” to Britain, which gets around a fifth of its energy from nuclear reactors.

The 66-year-old Frenchman, a former European Commissioner, insisted the remaining 27 member states would find it easier to adjust as they would still benefit from the single market, the customs union and 60 trade deals with other countries.

He also said that the first phase of negotiations would be dominated by three “significant uncertanties” that need to be resolved before talks on a trade deal can begin.

Firstly, the rights of the 3.2 million EU citizens in living in the UK and the 1.2 million British born residents of Europe. Mr Barnier said EU negotiators were “ready to discuss this issue from day one.”

Secondly, the need for Britain to “honour its commitments” to the European budget, and third, ensuring that peace and dialogue in Northern Ireland are not weakened.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said she “did not recognise” Mr Barnier’s “apocalyptic” description of Britain without a Brexit deal.

Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, she said: “I mean let’s face it, the UK Government, the UK economy is doing rather well now, much better than some of us thought previously and the world economy is doing well and the British people are entering into it.”

Today shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer said the Prime Minister must “face down” Brexiteers who want to drag Britain away from Europe during the up-coming EU negotiations.

He accused the Conservatives of breaking into two factions - one of which is willing Britain to leave the EU with no deal.

Mr Starmer said: “I think that there’s undoubtedly two camps in the Conservative Party.

“The reason that those who campaigned hardest to leave the EU did so...is not just because they dislike the EU, it’s because ideologically they believe in deregulation, in lower taxation and stripping away of employment social protections to create a different economic and political model. They have been in a minority for some time. My concern is the influence they now have. “

He made his remarks as he unveiled Labour’s six tests ahead of Brexit on economic, security and immigration based standards.

Without certainty the deal meets his tests, he said Labour would block it in the Commons.

UKIP also outlined their own six rules including full control over fishing rights, complete Brexit by 2020 and leaving the single market and customs union.

Dominic Raab MP, member of the Committee on Exiting the European Union, said: “Labour’s attempts to lay conditions and delays are all about containing divisions in the Labour Party, but are utterly out of touch with the values and wishes of ordinary working people.

Theresa May was set to meet Nicola Sturgeon in Scotland today, two days before she triggers the UK’s divorce process from the European Union.

The Prime Minister’s trip north of the border also came a day before the Scottish Parliament is expected to pass a vote in favour of seeking a new Scottish independence referendum.

SNP shadow leader of the Commons, Peter Wishart, told BBC radio that the Scots deserve a “gold standard” referendum with Government backing.

He urged Mrs May to agree to a date, adding: “She said “not now”, what we need to hear from her is when.”