Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, and Michel Barnier, the EU’s lead negotiator in Brussels today. Mr Barnier is warning that a no-deal Brexit has “never been closer”

The EU fears that Boris Johnson has “lost control” and that any new negotiation on the Irish backstop is “pointless” because his government is powerless to push it through the House of Commons.

European ambassadors will today hold confidential talks on Brexit and what steps the EU should take next after the prime minister’s heavy defeat and loss of his parliamentary majority yesterday.

Diplomatic sources said that the EU is increasingly pessimistic over the point of holding talks with the prime minister on alternatives to the Irish backstop after MPs last night seized control of the Commons agenda.

“He has lost his majority and lost control, there is no evidence an election would fix it. It seems futile to continue discussions,” said a senior European