The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator has “fractured” the coalition of 27 countries by dramatically stepping up his aggression towards Britain, the Telegraph has been told.

Diplomats from multiple EU countries have questioned whether “anyone” could be expected to accept terms put forward by Michel Barnier last week, with one suggesting to this newspaper that in the same position they would “walk away and then see how the EU does without the money”.

A Whitehall source said that French figures had expressed particular anger at the “lack of consultation” on a draft document published by Mr Barnier on Wednesday which included a so-called punishment clause that would allow Brussels to ground aircraft and block trade if the UK failed to obey EU rules during the transition period.

Nordic and Eastern European countries were also “fracturing” from the coalition following the “aggressive political opening salvo”.

Mr Barnier is expected to come under significant pressure to drop the clause when he formally consults the member states on the draft this week.

The disclosures came as Theresa May effectively set her Brexit “war cabinet” a deadline of just over three weeks to reach an outline agreement on a plan for a “future partnership” with the EU that can be put to Brussels early next month.