When David Davis met Theresa May on Wednesday it might have been a metaphor for the state of the entire Brexit process. The Brexit secretary told the prime minister that he wanted to publish the government’s white paper, spelling out its vision for a final deal with Brussels, by June 14. “We can do this,” Davis said.

May’s response, according to a source briefed on the exchange, was: “How about after the June council?” That is the next Brussels summit on June 28, when Britain is expected to unveil its most detailed Brexit plan yet.

The prime minister’s caution was understandable. While the 150-page white paper is written, officials say it is riddled with red ink. “The red bits are the things which don’t have