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Nigel Farage was denied entry to the EU council building today, as Theresa May arrived for crunch Brexit talks.

Security blocked the former Ukip leader from entering the Brussels HQ, as his pass had malfunctioned.

Mr Farage, an MEP since 1999, said: "Fifteen years I’ve been coming and it’s never happened before."

He added: "As a group leader, getting in should be easy, but not this time. I'm hardly a security risk."

The issue was later resolved and he was granted access.

He told reporters he expected Theresa May to attempt a "show of strength" at this week's summit in the hope of placating opponents of her Chequers plan at home.

Mr Farage said it was the firm front displayed by Eurosceptic critics which prevented the UK from agreeing a "wholly unacceptable" deal last weekend.

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"The fact that there is a crisis here in terms of the British deal is a reflection of the strength of opinion back in the UK," he said.

"A week ago I thought we were going to be agreeing something here that would have been wholly unacceptable. I think the Government have been surprised by the vehemence and strength of the views expressed by Jacob Rees-Mogg , 63 Conservatives writing a letter, the DUP .

"She realises that if she goes for this Chequers-minus agreement that we were looking at, it ain't going to get past the House of Commons. We could be headed for complete impasse."