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Prime Minister has a pop at gloomy Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during Irish border talks

Theresa May advised the Irish leader to 'cheer up' as she tried to reach agreement over the UK's withdrawal agreement with Brussels

THERESA May told Ireland’s leader to cheer up yesterday as she tried to solve the Brexit deadlock.

The PM confirmed the Cabinet had agreed a fall-back option to keep the Irish border open.

You're having a laugh... Theresa May, centre, enjoys a joke with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel
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You're having a laugh... Theresa May, centre, enjoys a joke with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela MerkelCredit: Reuters

Leo Varadkar had warned negotiations were at risk of collapse ahead of the talks in Bulgarian capital Sofia.

But Mrs May — seen joking with French president Emmanuel Macron and German leader Angela Merkel before the meeting — told the Irish PM to be more optimistic and wait for her plan.

A source said: “She told him to cheer up. Varadkar is talking to a sceptical audience back home because he may have an election to worry about soon.”

Asked if the new plan meant she was climbing down to the EU, Mrs May insisted: “No we are not. The United Kingdom will be leaving the Customs Union.”

A stern Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who has questioned whether a withdrawal agreement will be reached
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A stern Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who has questioned whether a withdrawal agreement will be reachedCredit: EPA

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Mr Varadkar said he was not discouraged by what Mrs May said and welcomed “any move on customs that brings the UK closer to the EU”.

He added: “But I very much emphasised that resolving the issue of avoiding a hard border requires more than just customs. It would help solve some of the problems related to the border but not all of them.”

The Irish border could prove to be the biggest sticking point in the Brexit negotiations
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The Irish border could prove to be the biggest sticking point in the Brexit negotiationsCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The backstop plan would see the UK uphold parts of the union for a limited time. No new trade deals on goods could be made.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson strongly opposed the plan when it was discussed by the committee on Tuesday.

EU negotiator Michel Barnier said there had been no progress.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was the only Cabinet member to object to the Government's latest backstop plan for the Irish border
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Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was the only Cabinet member to object to the Government's latest backstop plan for the Irish borderCredit: AP:Associated Press
Michel Barnier confirms UK will exit EU for good on New Year’s Eve 2020 after transition deal agreed in Brussels - but Irish border issue still not solved

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