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Dr Katya Adler, BBC Europe Editor, said the real reason behind the EU's continuous Brexit threats is that Brussels is "very worried" the UK will become a "super competitive country" on their doorstep. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Brexitcast, Ms Adler said: "Let’s imagine a scenario where the EU says, ‘UK we love you, you know we love you and you know that we don’t want you to leave and you know that we want to keep you really close, so let’s do a really advantageous free trade deal and let’s add some financial services into that. “‘And we’ll give you everything you want. But you’re also free to make arrangements with anybody else you like where you may change your prices and become much more competitive than us’ .

BBC•GETTY Brexit news: BBC Editor reveals real reason behind EU's Brexit threats

“That’s what they don’t want. They want to keep the UK close, but they want to keep the UK close and locked in. “They are terrified about us becoming this super competitive country just right close to them and sucking in business that they would then lose out on. “So, absolutely, they are very worried about that.

“And they’re rapidly on their computers saying, ‘Mmmm… How does this all add up?’” EU Chief negotiator Michel Barnier sent a stern warning to the UK when he claimed leaving the customs union would create the inevitable need of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. He said: “It is important to tell the truth. A UK decision to leave the single market and to leave the customs union would make border checks unavoidable.

Brexit negotiations continue, live pictures Fri, December 8, 2017 Britain and the EU reached a historic deal on December 8 on the terms of the Brexit divorce after the British Prime Minister rushed to Brussels for early morning talks Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 14 David Davis and EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier attend a press conference by Theresa May