
Prime Minister David Cameron has met with the six EU leaders who are set to decide Britain's future over a glamorous meal of avocado and shrimp, but they are finding his demands more difficult to swallow.

Mr Cameron has been pleading at a summit in Brussels for a ‘credible’ package to help him lock Britain into the EU for a ‘generation’.

But his colleagues have strongly objected to his plans to limit access to the so-called welfare state.

The Prime Minister has allies in Germany's Angela Merkel and Denmark's Lars Lokke Rasmussen.

But he still has to square concerns from France's Francois Hollande, and eastern European leaders including Poland's Beata Szydlo and Hungary's Viktor Orban.

Austria’s Werner Faymann arrived at the talks with a strong agenda to tackle the flow of migrants into his country.

Before the formal talks began, EU leaders gathered for the traditional family photo. David Cameron (front row, third from right) has allies in Germany's Angela Merkel and Denmark's Lars Lokke Rasmussen. But he still has to square concerns from France's Francois Hollande, and eastern European leaders including Poland's Beata Szydlo and Hungary's Viktor Orban. Austria’s Werner Faymann arrived at the talks with a strong agenda to tackle the flow of migrants into his country

David Cameron and Angela Merkel walked into the talks together, pictured left, as the formal meetings got underway. Mr Cameron made an anxious expression in conversation with Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar, pictured right as the talks began

David Cameron last night promised EU leaders his draft deal could end Britain's 'festering' relationship with the group and move them to a new 'live and let live approach'.

Speaking to his 27 colleagues at the first working session of a summit that could define his career, the Prime Minster said there was a 'big prize' on offer if the deal could be struck - but he warned progress was vital to come up with a 'credible offer' for the British people.

But Eastern European leaders insisted curbs on welfare handouts to foreign workers must be phased in gradually.

In a further slapdown, EU leaders warned that any package that is cobbled together will be final - the UK must take it or quit the European Union for good.

The French and the Belgians insisted there could be no second referendum if the UK votes to leave.

The group last night joined together for a meal of avocado and shrimp 'imparfait'; cod loin with wheat beer emulsion and duo of potato; followed by a light mango mousse with caramelised pineapple and coffee.

WHAT'S ON THE MENU? Avocado & shrimp ‘imparfait’ Cod loin with wheat beer emulsion & duo of potato Light mango mousse with caramelised pineapple Coffee Wines for the occasion were chosen from a secret list Advertisement

Wines for the gathering were reportedly chosen from a secret list.

Mr Cameron arrived at the crunch Brussels summit vowing he would be 'battling for Britain' at the talks which are due to conclude around lunch time today.

Downing Street insisted Mr Cameron was resisting the demands for a further cave-in. Sources indicated he was looking to toughen his own requirements – asking for a brake that restricts migrants claiming tax credits to last for up to 13 years.

But Eurosceptic MPs said it still seemed that the ‘thin gruel’ on offer to voters appeared to be getting even thinner. They added that, despite the drama in Brussels, the negotiation remained a huge missed opportunity to fundamentally change Britain’s relationship with the EU.

Sources close to Mr Cameron warned it was likely to be a 'long night' as the first round of summit talks had been 'tough' with 'real outstanding issues'.

Failure to strike an overnight deal could force Mr Cameron to delay Britain's EU referendum from the summer despite clear signals it is pencilled in for June 23.

EU leaders sat down for their first formal talks last night as they wrestled with competing demands from Britain and the fears of other member states - particularly the so-called 'Visegrad group' from eastern Europe who are worried about benefit restrictions.

At the first session of the talks, Mr Cameron said: 'The question of Britain's place in Europe has been allowed to fester for too long and it's time to deal with it.

Mr Cameron's talks, assisted by EU Council president Donald Tusk pictured left as the talks began, could run into the early hours of the morning as a deal is hammered out

'If we can reach agreement here that is strong enough to persuade the British people to support UK membership of the EU, then we have an opportunity to settle the issue for a generation.

'It's an opportunity to move to a fundamentally different approach to our relations with the EU - a live and let live approach, reflecting that those states who wish to integrate further can do so while those of us who don't can be reassured that their interests will be protected and they won't need to fight for those at every turn on a case by case basis.

'It's a big prize for all in the room.'

He said he needs a package that is 'credible with the British people' and that 'there are therefore a number of areas where we need to make progress tonight'.

EU leaders will all come together again at around 10am today in a bid to finalise the deal following late night bilaterals and informal talks on the margins of the summit.

The Prime Minister's plea came as other EU states demanded a 'no second chance' agreement to make clear to Britain that Europe will not come back with a better offer if it votes to Leave.

As wrangling over a proposed reform package got under way in earnest at a 'make or break' Brussels summit, Britain's line on key welfare measures appeared to be hardening.

THE KEY PLAYERS WHO CAN MAKE OR BREAK DAVID CAMERON'S DEAL AT THE EU SUMMIT LAST NIGHT Francois Hollande, France France has raised significant concerns about how the British deal on the eurozone and protections for the City of London will work. Concessions to Mr Hollande included confirmation there would be a 'single rule book' on how the single market will work. Mr Cameron rushed to Paris on Monday night to work on the deal but confirmation of a resolution only began to appear today when EU sources indicated the European Central Bank had agreed to the changes. Viktor Orban, Hungary The Hungarian prime minister sparked alarm when he suggested the British agenda was treating his citizens like 'parasites'. Hungary had strong objections to banning EU migrant workers from claiming benefits alongside their jobs in Britain. Today his concerns appeared to have been dealt with as he told waiting media: 'I think we will have a good negotiation and I think we have a good chance to make an agreement. 'I am rather optimistic.' Werner Faymann, Austria The Austrian chancellor threw what could have been a huge spanner into the works by suggesting his country would impose a strict cap on asylum claims. Austria has been left reeling by the migration crisis and has sought to use Mr Cameron's renegotiation as a way of easing its own concerns. He has complained the European solution for dealing with the migrant crisis - set to see more than a million people try and get into the EU this year - is 'too slow' Angela Merkel, Germany One of the longest serving and most senior EU leaders, Angela Merkel has become a key ally for David Cameron in completing his deal. Germany did raise concerns about the plans damaging the principle of free movement across the EU by introducing discrimination. But as Mr Cameron's deal evolved toward the 'brake' on migrant benefits rather than outright ban, Mrs Merkel has become a cheerleader for concluding the deal - insisting the British demands were 'justified'. Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Denmark Denmark has been a crucial ally for Mr Cameron during his talks, insisting the proposals on offer were 'understandable and acceptable'. After the first draft was published, Mr Rasmussen vowed to help the British Prime Minister conclude his deal. He said: 'Denmark will work hard to ensure results which can help the British government win the referendum and remain a key member of the European Union. Beata Szydlo, Poland Squaring Poland and the rest of east Europe has been a key challenge for Mr Cameron. The Polish prime minister hit out at the proposed reforms for migrants last year. Even last week Poland was still warning the current draft of Britain's deal was no more than 'mostly acceptable'. Moves to expand the emergency brake on benefits beyond Britain have caused further worries. Advertisement

A key figure will be Germany's Mrs Merkel, pictured with Mr Cameron as the 'family photo' marking the beginning of the summit broke up early yesterday afternoon

It is understood the PM has set his face against calls from eastern Europe for child benefit cuts to be imposed only on new migrants with offspring living in their home country.

AS DAVID CAMERON WRESTLES WITH EU LEADERS JEREMY CORBYN DECLARES HIS RENEGOTIATION TO BE 'LARGELY IRREVELANT' Jeremy Corbyn last night dismissed David Cameron's EU deal as 'largely irrelevant' as the Prime Minister sat down with his 27 fellow EU leaders for hours of decisive talks over Britain's future membership of the EU. The Labour leader described the months of negotiations over demands for reforming Britain's membership of the EU as a 'missed opportunity'. Mr Corbyn, who also travelled to Brussels yesterday, said Mr Cameron should have instead focussed on winning stronger rights for workers. Holding his own summit of left wing allies in the EU capital - including a meeting with the French socialist President Francois Hollande, Mr Corbyn attacked plans for an 'emergency brake' on handing benefits to EU migrants, saying there was 'no evidence' it would cut migration to the UK. 'And it won't put a penny in the pockets of workers in Britain or stop the undercutting of UK wages by the exploitation of migrant workers,' he told a meeting of the Party of European Socialists in Brussels. He said the 'real reforms' needed in Brussels included 'an end to austerity' and a 'halt to the enforced privatisation of public services'. Mr Corbyn described the Prime Minister's hard-fought negotiations as a 'theatrical sideshow' that was more about appeasing internal Eurosceptic critics in his own party than addressing the real problems with Britain's membership of the EU. Advertisement

Mr Cameron wants the new system - under which payments would be made at the lower rates of the migrant's homeland - brought in quickly and believes it is not acceptable for it effectively to be phased in over 16 years as the children of 34,000 existing claimants in the UK reach adulthood.

UK officials said child benefit was among a number of key issues, including protections for non-euro countries and a proposed emergency brake on migrant welfare, which remain to be settled at a crunch European Council summit.

Mr Cameron was prepared to keep talking into the night as officials tried to hammer out the precise terms of a deal which can be agreed on Friday, clearing the way for the announcement of a referendum date following a special Cabinet meeting in London.

As he arrived at the summit yesterday afternoon, Mr Cameron said: 'We've got some important work to do today and tomorrow and it is going to be hard. I'll be battling for Britain.

'If we can get a good deal, I will take that deal, but I will not take a deal that does not meet what we need.

'It is much more important to get this right than to do anything in a rush.

'But with good will, and hard work, we can get a better deal for Britain.'

At his first meeting, Mr Cameron joked with EU Council president Donald Tusk that they faced a 'long night tonight' before adding perhaps a 'long day tomorrow'.

The summit is due to end at lunchtime today and British officials admitted this was 'crunch time' and it would be 'deal or no deal'.

If Mr Cameron declares he has an acceptable deal he is due to meet his Cabinet this afternoon to formally agree a Government position.

He will then suspend collective responsibility to allow ministers who oppose him and the deal to speak out.

Changes which emerged overnight are likely to be fiercely opposed by eastern European countries at last night's talks.

They fear millions of their citizens living in western European states will face discrimination over benefits.

In previous versions of the text the so-called 'emergency brake' would have only applied to Britain, Ireland and Sweden - the three member states that did not take advantage of transitional controls on EU migrants from Poland and nine other eastern European countries in 2004.

Countries such as Germany and Austria - overwhelmed by refugees fleeing the Middle East - demanded that they too can introduce temporary restrictions on EU migrants claiming in-work benefits.

But in a sign of progress, EU sources said French concerns over protecting the eurozone may have been dealt with.

One set of 'square brackets' - which denote disagreement in the draft text - were set to be lifted before the first formal meeting began.

The latest changes on benefits are still likely to make a deal more difficult to reach.

Romania voiced opposition to the latest changes yesterday morning, worried that the ability of all member states to impose restrictions on benefits being paid to their citizens would harm the million Romanians currently living in Spain and Italy.

Arriving at the summit, Mr Tusk - the man charged with running today's talks - warned there was a lot of work to do.

He said: 'As you know we are in the middle of still very difficult and sensitive negotiations on the UK question.

'One thing is clear to me, this is a make or break summit, I have no doubt.'

The EU leaders talked informally before the meetings began, with Mr Cameron locked in conversation with Mrs Merkel and Irish premier Enda Kenny, right

In conversation with Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras, Mr Cameron made a pointing gesture with his hands

Mr Cameron, pictured making his first remarks at the Brussels summit, said he would be 'battling for Britain' but would only take the right deal home with him

EU LEADERS HAD A 'FAMILY PHOTO', THEN STARTED TALKS - AND QUICKLY STOPPED FOR DINNER The first working session began last night, pictured above, at around 5pm. The UK's renegotiation was the only item on the agenda. The meeting was expected to be an opportunity for each leader to highlight their current concerns. 7pm: EU leaders due at a working dinner. The main topic for discussion here was due to be the migration crisis and Britain's demands were not expected to be discussed. Late Thursday: Informal and bilateral conversations to try and reach agreements and resolve problems would continue into the night. 9am Friday: EU leaders will reconvene for an 'English breakfast' in an attempt to hammer out the final version of the deal. Around 11am: The summit is due to end. David Cameron is expected to declare whether or not he has a deal before returning to London. If an agreement has been reached, Mr Cameron will meet his Cabinet later on Friday. Advertisement

As she arrived, German chancellor Angela Merkel: 'We gladly want to do everything to create the conditions so Britain can remain a part of the European Union.'

In his own first statement at the summit, French president Francois Hollande said: 'Agreement on Britain's EU membership is possible because it is necessary but no country should have a veto right.

'France wants Britain to stay in the EU but Europe must not be stopped from moving forward.

'We must at the same time as we are talking about Great Britain, think about all the other countries.

'It's the European Union that's at stake, not simply one country of the European Union.

'I hope that Great Britain will stay in the European Union, but I especially hope that we all advance together and that no-one, no head of government can stop that.'

Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaitė struck a more positive note.

She told reporters yesterday afternoon: 'Everybody will have his own drama, then we will agree.'

Hungarian PM Viktor Orban said: 'I think we will have a good negotiation and I think we have a good chance to make an agreement. I am rather optimistic.'

And Estonian PM Taavi Roivas said: 'We are here today to agree on a fair deal - a fair deal for both the UK and EU so that David can recommend the British people to vote Yes at the referendum. I am convinced that this kind of deal is achievable and we will work hard to achieve it today.'

Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny said as he arrived at the summit: 'There will be some bilateral contacts with countries that still have some difficulties about the ins/outs of the 'ever closer union', about the question of welfare.

'We expect that to be finalised tomorrow.

'We are very supportive of this, we will back up the claim that Britain should remain a central member of the European Union and I do hope that it can be concluded tomorrow so that the Prime Minister can make his timing of a referendum known to the British people.'

Speaking yesterday morning, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said he was 'convinced' that the UK would remain a 'constructive and active' member of the 28-nation bloc.

Mr Juncker said: 'I'm quite confident that we will have a deal during this European Council.'

He added: 'I'm convinced that Britain will be a constructive and active member of the European Union.'

Mr Cameron departed for Brussels yesterday knowing key elements of his demands for change in Britain's relations with the EU still in dispute.

The Prime Minister met Mr Tusk at the European Council building for discussions ahead of the summit and was also due to meet Croatian PM Tihomir Oreskovic and Latvian PM Maris Kucinskis, both of whom have been elected since the last Council summit in December.

An EU source said at the end of last night's dinner Mr Tusk would tell leaders 'we'll see each other again tomorrow' and added the breakfast this morning will be 'when the real negotiations take place and hopefully there will be an agreement.

The source said: 'At the round table at the start of the summit the main issues will identified and the persons with biggest problem identified. Sherpas will work through the night to find a solution.

Mr Cameron and Mr Tusk, pictured at their meeting yesterday have worked closely in recent weeks to finalise a version of the deal leader can back at yesterday's meeting

Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, pictured right alongside Parliament president Martin Schulz yesterday morning, said he was 'convinced' the UK would remain a 'constructive and active' member

Nigel Farage, pictured in Brussels as the leaders gathered, continued his criticism of the deal warning Mr Cameron would get no meaningful reform

'Tomorrow morning they will hopefully assemble to adopt conclusions. Each and every member state will sign. They won't need to vote as it has to be consensus.'

The source said: 'It's a last chance to meet and see where Cameron is and for Tusk to explain his intentions in managing the meeting.'

The source added that it is 'our hope' that the square brackets will be 'lifted' from the section on the Eurozone safeguards before the start of the meeting.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage yesterday dismissed the deal before talks even formally began, insisting it would not be 'legally binding' and was like offering voters a car but 'telling them they can't check if the engine works'.

Parliament president Mr Schulz yesterday told reporters: 'We as legislators will be working intensively as soon as we have the basic text available, the pre-requisites of this are that there would have to be an agreement today amongst all the member states and secondly we need to have a yes vote in the referendum.

'In the European Parliament I can say we have a great deal of interest in ensuring the UK remains a member of the EU together we are stronger and we will work constructively to ensure that is what ensured is actually put into legislative form in the EU.'

Ahead of the summit, Britain made clear that the PM is ready to walk away without agreement if he cannot secure a satisfactory package.

The section details the emergency brake on migrant benefits, pictured in the latest draft, was also set to be highly contentious at the talks. Eastern European countries are keen for it only to apply to Britain but other states, led by Germany and Austria, have said it could be a wider power for all members.

Leaders will have to discuss a deeply technical section of the document on financial stability responsibilities as they remain in 'square brackets', pictured. France and Germany are said to be uncomfortable with clauses marking the City of London as different under EU rules

There are further square brackets around a clause, pictured, committing all member states to changing the treaties on economic governance

'This is crunch time,' said one UK official. 'We need to secure the right settlement for the British people.'

Mr Cameron's deal with EU leaders is far from done and talks may go down to the wire later today.

EU officials have scheduled a 'brunch' of English breakfast to nail down the final details.

Many points in the final document remain in 'square brackets', a mark in diplomatic circles indicated an unagreed point.

Government sources yesterday insisted there was 'broad support' to find a way through on every point.

But there remains an impasse on several key areas:

Ahead of the talks, the EU's media director revealed fresh flowers and a selection of drinks were placed on every leader's desk. Mr Cameron will choose from Coca Cola, orane juice or water. Ahead of the talks, Mr Tusk had a crucial meeting with the new Croatian Prime Minister

Securing 'treaty change' on two points: the commitment to 'ever closer union' and how the eurozone works in relation to other countries like the pound.

The 'red card' mechanism for escalating issues of concern in member states to the European Council

The 'emergency brake' on restricting benefit payments to migrants. There are particular difficulties on how long this will last.

Exactly how child benefit will be 'indexed' to local rates and whether the change will apply to new migrants only or people already in Britain.

Despite signs of another roadblock in the deal, a Government source said ahead of yesterday's summit: 'The PM will be battling hard on all of those areas, seeking to fix the issues that really matter to people here in Britain.'

'We have made a lot of progress compared to where people thought we were.

'We have got broad support for finding a way through on every issue.

'The outstanding things where I expect leaders will be focusing their time and energy are around the issue of treaty change, whether or not every country is willing to incorporate the two areas where we would like treaty change - ever closer union and the eurozone.'

On plans for an 'emergency brake', the Government source added: 'On welfare and free movement I expect the focus to be around the emergency brake on restructuring benefits to migrants for four years, in particular the length of that and also around indexation of child benefit.'

David Cameron, pictured leaving Downing Street yesterday morning, faces another roadblock in his plans to reform Britain's membership of the EU

THOUSANDS OF MILES AND COUNTLESS HOURS ON THE ROAD: HOW DAVID CAMERON GOT HIS DEAL ON EU MEMBERSHIP THIS FAR Mr Cameron has met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on many occasions during his renegotiation, most recently at last week's annual Matthiae-Mahlzeit dinner at the city hall in Hamburg, pictured David Cameron has visited 20 European countries and met everyone of his 27 fellow leaders during his renegotiation tour. As a deal inched closer to completion, Government sources spelled out the unprecedented diplomatic offensive embarked upon by Mr Cameron to get his agreement. The final document is the first attempt to 'fundamentally reform' a country's membership of the EU from inside. The source insisted no country had ever tried to renegotiate its membership before and pointed to successes secured on the single currency and sovereignty The source said: 'The Prime Minister has really led the charge on this. 'He's taken a very personal involvement from the moment he was re-elected to meet and engage with European leaders.' Mr Cameron has travelled far and wide during his talks, including to Hungary to meet Viktor Orban in January, left, and Portugal in September last year for talks with Pedro Passos Coelho Earlier this month, Mr Cameron visited Poland for talks with Prime Minister Beata Szydlo on his deal as he worked to finalise the details ahead of last night's summit Mr Cameron has trekked to 20 different EU states for talks - many more than once. The PM has met every EU leader twice during the talks, including 10 of them in Downing Street. The renegotiation has been raised at 13 different world summits - either as the main business or in the fringes of unrelated gatherings. And Mr Cameron has had talks on 'more than 26' occasions with the leaders of the European Commission, European Council and European Parliament. The source added: 'He was the first Prime Minister to go to Austria in over 30 years. The first to go to Bulgaria and Romania in over 16 years. The first ever British Prime Minister to visit an independent Slovenia.' Advertisement

Boris Johnson and Michael Gove are 'leaning towards' backing Brexit over David Cameron's 'unimpressive' deal

Boris Johnson and Michael Gove are 'leaning towards' supporting Britain's exit from the EU, it emerged as David Cameron left for Brussels yesterday morning for crunch talks with European leaders.

The pair are not impressed with the Prime Minister's efforts to make British law superior over EU law, according to friends.

If the pair decided to back Brexit, it would deal a major blow to the Prime Minister's hopes of keeping Britain in the EU.

Boris Johnson (left) and Michael Gove (right) are 'leaning towards' backing Brexit, it emerged as Eurosceptics won over another influential voice in Penny Mordaunt (centre), the defence minister who starred in ITV diving show Splash two years ago

Mr Johnson's decision could be particularly decisive after a poll revealed that one in three people see him as 'important' to helping them decide which way to vote in the EU referendum, which is expected to be held in June.

News of another minister to back Brexit emerged this morning, with Penny Mordaunt, the Armed Forces minister who starred on the primetime ITV diving show Splash two years ago, being won over by Eurosceptics.

Mr Johnson and Mr Gove want assurances from Mr Cameron that he end the practice of European courts overriding British law.

Judgments by the European Court of Human Rights that have caused outrage over recent years have included the decision to block the deportation of the radical preacher Abu Qatada and the attempt to force Britain to give prisoners the right to vote.

The Court is not an EU institution and will not be reformed as part of Mr Cameron's talks in Brussels.

But in parallel to the agreement he hopes to secure, Mr Cameron has reportedly tasked Mr Gove with drawing up new laws in Britain which will be presented as part of a wider package of reforms.

A new piece of Commons legislation could be revealed by Mr Cameron as soon as tomorrow if he seals a deal in Brussels.

Nigel Farage, pictured, arrives in Brussels ahead of David Cameron's crunch summit with EU leaders. A poll found one in five people viewed him as 'important' in deciding which way they vote

Earlier this month Mr Cameron promised to 'put beyond doubt' the sovereignty of the British Parliament after Mr Johnson demanded assurances.

But despite a 40-minute private meeting in Downing Street yesterday, it appears the Prime Minister has yet to convince the Mayor of London of his plans to reform Britain's membership of the EU.

And now he and Mr Gove are 'leaning towards the exit' due to the weakness of Mr Cameron's plans, two 'well-placed sources' told ITV News last night.

Mr Johnson has told reporters that he will make up his mind on which side of the referendum campaign to join when he finds out whether the sovereignty package is a 'bazooka or a popgun'.

At the weekend he made a further hint he would join the Out campaign after saying there was 'no reason to be afraid' of leaving the EU.

The London Mayor said he would 'come off the fence with deafening éclat' as soon as Mr Cameron secures a deal.

The uncertainty over two of the biggest Tory figures deals a blow to Mr Cameron's hopes of securing a deal that will persuade the British public to stay in the EU.

He will leave Downing Street around mid-morning and will hold a meeting with EU Council President Donald Tusk before EU leaders sit down to discuss the details of Britain's renegotiation.

Britain's membership is due to be top of the agenda at the summit and EU leaders hope to agree a deal by tomorrow morning, which would allow the Prime Minister to head home to kick-start the referendum campaign tomorrow.

He is expected to choose June 23 as the date of the referendum.