Michel Barnier slams Britain for lack of Brexit progress the DAY before Theresa May’s big speech and demands Britain ‘settle the accounts’ if it wants trade deal

MICHEL Barnier has slammed Britain for a lack of progress on Brexit the day before Theresa May’s big speech on the EU talks.

Brussels’ chief negotiator is demanding the Prime Minister “settle the accounts” if she wants to get a new trade deal after we exit the bloc.

And he said the clock is ticking on the chances of any deal, adding: “If we want a deal, time is of the essence.

“The Treaty on European Union foresees a period of two years to negotiate withdrawal.

“Six months have gone by since Theresa May’s letter on 29 March 2017. Six months will be necessary to allow for ratification before 29 March 2019.

“There is therefore only one year left.”

Speaking in the Italian parliament he would be listening “attentively and constructively” to what she had to say when she appears at the Santa Maria Novella tomorrow afternoon.

Mr Barnier said: “All that is necessary in this negotiation is that everyone honours the commitments that they have made to each other. To settle the accounts. No more, no less.

“Beyond money, this is a question of trust between the 27 and the United Kingdom, based on the respect of one’s signature.

“Everyone knows that we will need this trust to create a solid relationship in the future.”

Earlier today it was reported that in meetings with European execs and public officials, the diplomat has said he is ready and even eager to begin trade talks.

But he has reiterated there must first be “sufficient progress” on a divorce bill, and the Irish settlement.

And he stressed a future trade deal with Britain would have to be signed off by 40 national and regional parliaments.

Sources revealed Mr Barnier has been quoting David Cameron to illustrate the “fast–diminishing” economic might of individual European countries, the

The former PM’s team originally prepared a chart to show the importance of Britain to the EU’s single market. But in meetings Mr Barnier has updated it to show the importance of the EU as a bloc.

And he added: “How do you build a future relationship if there’s no trust, if you haven’t honoured your commitments?”

The blast comes with the European Parliament’s Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt set for talks with the Irish PM Leo Varadkar in Dublin today.

The former Belgian PM is the link between EU negotiators and MEPs.

He said yesterday that Northern Ireland could rejoin the EU single market – as he opened up separate Brexit talks with Irish officials.