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The Brexit secretary urged the other 27 member states to loosen the terms of Michel Barnier’s mandate, which has been blamed for stifling progress and dragging down the negotiations. His remarks come amid reports that the Frenchman is becoming increasingly frustrated with the stranglehold EU leaders have over him and wants to break free on starting transition talks. Mr Davis’ blunt message to European capitals came after a week of deadlocked talks, at the end of which both men publicly admitted that virtually no new ground has been made. Germany, France and Romania are said to be blocking Mr Barnier from starting scoping on a transition deal with Britain, with Berlin in particular keen to secure cash promises from the UK first.

However, Theresa May has held firm on her position that the UK will honour its commitments only once it secures assurances from Brussels over the breadth and nature of a future partnership. At a press conference in Brussels today, Mr Barnier said: “This week we worked in a constructive spirit and we clarified certain points without however making any great steps forward. “We are in a position of deadlock at the moment, but I’m sure with the necessary will and on the basis of the commitments entered into by Theresa May in Florence we can find a way out of that deadlock. “Slowly but surely over the next few weeks I will explore the way forward. If there is the necessary will, I will explore ways of getting out of this deadlock we find ourselves in on the financial issues.”

GETTY David Davis and Michel Barnier

Clearly we’d like them to give Michel the means to broaden the negotiations David Davis

Mr Barnier’s comments, which appear to be as much aimed at EU27 leaders as Britain, came after his counterpart made his most open plea yet for the bloc to alter its negotiating stance. Mr Davis said: “I hope the member states will recognise the progress we’ve made and take a step forward in the spirit of the PM’s Florence speech. That’s how we move forward towards a deal that works for both the EU and the UK. “The position we’re in now is defined by the Council’s criteria of sufficient progress. Clearly we’d like them to give Michel the means to broaden the negotiations, it’s up to them whether they do it. I think it’s in the interests of Europe and the UK that they do.” In a sign of growing nerves over the possibility of a no-deal scenario - which both sides admitted they are prepared for - Mr Davis and Mr Barnier announced they will be holding further talks soon.