The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator has said “no way” to Theresa May securing a bespoke trade deal with Brussels.

Michel Barnier said the EU is not prepared to come up with a makeshift trade deal for the UK that knits together all the best bits of existing models.

In an interview with Prospect magazine, conducted before EU leaders agreed to move on to the second stage of Brexit talks covering trade and transition, Mr Barnier warned the “most difficult” part of negotiations was now starting.

Brexit: Philip Hammond signals 'status quo' will remain two years after withdrawal

Ms May has insisted that in the long term, the UK does not want a Norway-style relationship with the EU, which retains access to the single market at the cost of accepting its regulations, but also that the UK desires closer ties than a Canadian-style trade deal would allow.

But Mr Barnier said: “They have to realise there won’t be any cherry picking.

“We won’t mix up the various scenarios to create a specific one and accommodate their wishes, mixing, for instance, the advantages of the Norwegian model, member of the single market, with the simple requirements of the Canadian one.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

“No way. They have to face the consequences of their own decision.”

He explained that the clock was ticking on negotiations and that it is up to the UK to set out what it wants.

Mr Barnier added: “The most difficult part remains to be done. It is also probably the most interesting. But the British have to understand it cannot be business as usual.”

Brexit: Donald Tusk warns Theresa May the hardest part of negotiations is yet to come

His comments emerged as Ms May and senior ministers prepared to formally consider the future shape of the UK’s relationship with the European Union in meetings on Monday and Tuesday.

The Prime Minister claimed her Government was “proving the doubters wrong” after EU leaders agreed on Friday to move on to phase two.