Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has given a pessimistic assessment of the Brexit stalemate, just three weeks before the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union.
The Taoiseach says he held a 45-minute conversation with Boris Johnson during a day of acrimonious exchanges between London and EU leaders, which left talks between London and Brussels on life support.
He told RTE News that there was a “wide difference” of opinion over the UK proposals for a Brexit deal, but that he would continue to “work until the very last moment” to secure an agreement. The two leaders are expected to meet in person later this week.
Varadkar defended the EU’s stance, following an accusation from Downing Street that he had reneged on commitments. “I don’t play dirty and I don’t think most EU leaders do either,” He replied when asked whether Brexit language was becoming more toxic.
