What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Boris Johnson's Brexit tour has been given a brutal slapdown by France before the Prime Minister even turns up.

The Tory leader will touch down in Paris this lunchtime after Germany's Angela Merkel gave him 30 days to solve the Brexit 'backstop'.

But her glimmer of hope is flickering out after French President Emmanuel Macron launched a brutal attack on his strategy.

Mr Macron snapped Brexit was an "internal democratic crisis", saying while France must help, "we mustn't be hostage to it nor export it."

France last night declared no-deal Brexit is now the most likely outcome on October 31.

And Mr Macron mocked Boris Johnson by saying Britain risks a "historic vassalisation" to Trump's US - aping Mr Johnson's claim that the original Brexit deal made Britain a "vassal state".

According to reports, France's President added: "It will be the responsibility of the British government, always, because firstly it was the British people that decided Brexit.

"And the British government has the possibility up to the last second to revoke Article 50."

(Image: PA)

"Can the cost for Britain of a hard Brexit - because Britain will be the main victim - be offset by the United States of America? No," Mr Macron said.

"And even if it were a strategic choice, it would be at the cost of a historic vassalisation of Britain.

"I don't think this is what Boris Johnson wants. I don't think it is what the British people want."

The frank comments are set to make Mr Johnson's trip to the Elysee Palace a dicey affair just hours after a warm reception from Ms Merkel.

France has repeatedly taken a hardline approach to Brexit, saying negotiations on the 585-page Withdrawal Agreement cannot be reopened.

Boris Johnson has also taken a hard line - saying there is "no prospect" of striking a Brexit deal unless EU leaders remove the 'Northern Ireland backstop'.

The backstop is a clause in the Withdrawal Agreement which would tie the UK to EU rules to prevent border checks springing up in Northern Ireland.

With just 70 days left to Brexit, talks appear deadlocked ahead of Mr Johnson's meetings with Trump and EU chief Donald Tusk at this weekend's EU summit.

Even though Ms Merkel suggested a solution could be found in 30 days, she left it up to Boris Johnson to cough up the details.

(Image: PA) (Image: REUTERS)

The Prime Minister has said "trusted trader schemes" and other "alternative arrangements" could solve the problem of the border - but detail is scant.

Speaking at the press conference on Wednesday, Ms Merkel said: "If one is able to solve this conundrum, if one finds this solution, we said we would probably find it in the next two years to come but we can also maybe find it in the next 30 days to come.

"Then we are one step further in the right direction and we have to obviously put our all into this."

Mr Johnson said he was "more than happy" with the timetable proposed by his German counterpart.

"I must say I am very glad listening to you tonight Angela to hear that at least the conversations that matter can now properly begin," he replied.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images) (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

"You have set a very blistering timetable of 30 days - if I understood you correctly, I am more than happy with that."

Mr Johnson told Ms Merkel that the backstop would have to go as part of further discussions - or else Britain was prepared to leave without a deal.

He said: "What in my experience happens is that people find a way through.

"And I think that if we approach this with sufficient patience and optimism, as I say, we can get this done and it is in the final furlong generally when the horses change places and the winning deal appears."

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: Getty Images)

Despite his optimistic language Boris Johnson's government is ramping up preparations for a no-deal Brexit by the day.

Today it emerged agency workers will be recruited to work with Border Force - sparking fears they could be inexperienced or vulnerable to corruption.

And reports suggested UK industry will no longer be forced to hold EU-enforced levels of emergency petrol to cope with a no-deal Brexit.

(Image: REUTERS)

Meanwhile, Tory ministers today finally ditched most "gagging orders" - non-disclosure agreements - on firms involved with no-deal Brexit preparations after months of complaints.

"It makes no sense to engage processes which hinder constructive debate, transparency and exchange of information," a government spokesman said.

"We will no longer enter into such agreements unless absolutely necessary."