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The European Union's chief negotatior rebuked claims that he has provoked London by allowing the political declaration to push for a single customs territory to become the "basis for the future relationship". Mr Barnier told reporters in Brussels that the Prime Minister, through her contraversial Chequers plan, was the one to set out the request for a deal based on a customs union. He said: "If you compare the guidance issued by European Council and the white paper from chequers, there’s a free trade area... the minimum point of departure if you like."

Mr Barnier said the EU had made a compromise moving towards a "single customs area" at the request of Mrs May as a solution for the vexed issue of the Irish backstop, the insurance policy to prevent a hard border on Ireland. This policy is expected to be used as a "baseline" for the future trading partnership, which will be negotiated during the 21-month transition period starting on March 29 2019. He said: "The arrangement or agreement reached with Theresa May’s Government on a single customs area is something on which we have moved in the UK’s direction for first proposal of a backstop, I have taken in requests for a UK-wide backstop from the UK side." Mr Barnier also urged rebel Brexiteer MPs within Mrs May's Government to accept the terms agreed in the withdrawal agreement.

Brexit news: Michel Barnier says Theresa May requested controversial future trade plans

He said: “The EU and the U.K. will have full control over their legislation and rule-making. “This is essential on our side for the integrity of the single market; it's essential for the U.K. in terms of taking back control.” Warning off demands for potential changes to the deal, he added: “Now more than ever we must all remain calm – and I will remain calm – and keep our focus on the need for the U.K. to leave the EU in an orderly fashion.” Mr Barnier was speaking after briefing EU27 ministers on the withdrawal agreement and the political declaration on the future relationship.

He largely refused to comment on the key outstanding issue in the withdrawal agreement – the end date for a possible extension to the transition period. But he said the EU27 had given him permission to ensure the "20XX" date is filled in ahead of the special Brexit summit on Sunday. Mr Barnier said: "I believe that all the governments have agreed to principle of possible extension but no decision has been made yet on this issue. "I think it’s rather sensible to keep the possibility of a one-off extension for a short period of time but no decision has been made yet I haven’t seen any." Yesterday, EU diplomats revealed he had pitched the possibility of December 30 2022 to be the end date of the proposed extension but this must still be agreed with the UK.

One EU diplomat said the decision will likely be taken for Thursday, when aides for the EU's heads of state meet to finalise plans for the Sunday summit. Mrs May is expected to visit Brussels ahead of the gathering with EU leaders to finalise the political declaration and withdrawal agreement. She will lead during a critical week of negotiations to ensure “we do get that final good deal for this country”. “It’s the future relationship that actually delivers, if you like, on people’s concerns in the withdrawal agreement,” she added.

Michel Barnier declares Brexit deal allows UK to 'take back control' in dig at Brexiteers

Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab, in an interview with the Sunday Times, urged Mrs May to "stand up to Brussels bullies" after resigning his position in opposition to elements of the Prime Minister's divorce package. The Prime Minister has allowed Britain to be “blackmailed and bullied” by Brussels, he warned. "There were certainly swirling dark forces in the Commission, which you would hear rumbling that Northern Ireland was the price the United Kingdom must pay for leaving the EU," he added on his time spent in Brussels. “That’s totally irresponsible and reckless and not something we should give in to. The EU has become incredibly controlling and I think that’s a sign of their insecurity as an organisation.”