EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier pitches Brexit plan to rival Mrs May’s Chequers’ blueprint — and seeks Jacob Rees-Mogg’s support
Mr Barnier's plans are a much looser arrangement similar to the deal that Canada has with the EU
THERESA May’s bitter row with Michel Barnier deepened yesterday as it emerged he is drawing up a rival Brexit plan to her Chequers blueprint - to the delight of Tory Brexiteers.
The EU chief negotiator pitched his offer for a far more limited free trade deal, to visiting MPs in Brussels on Monday.
It would be much looser in scope to the PM’s close association agreement vision, and along the lines of Canada’s recent deal with the EU - similar to a plan that Leave supporting Conservative MPs have been pushing.
Last night, both Brexiteer and Remain MPs present at the meeting lined up to maul Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and confirm that Mr Barnier had skewered Mrs May’s Chequers plan.
Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said veteran Frenchman had agreed with him Downing Street’s offer was “rubbish”, while Sir Christopher Chope accused Mr Raab of “delusion” if he thought Chequers could survive.
The Tory grandee added that “none of us who was present listening to Mr Barnier could be in any doubt” that he rejects the plan “without any qualification.”
And Pro-EU Labour veteran Hilary Benn, who led the delegation, said there had been an “emphatic rejection of the central plank of the Chequers proposal” from Mr Barnier.
The fresh offer from Brussels horrified Labour MPs but pleased Tory hard Brexiteers.
Former Tory Cabinet minister John Whittingdale, another MP in the meeting, revealed: “What Barnier did put forward was a proposal for a very deep and comprehensive free trade agreement.
“That is exactly the kind of relationship I would like to see.”
“The Chequers option outside of the members of government appears to have very few friends.”
But No10 were swift to hit back at powerful Eurocrat the yesterday.
In stark contrast to Mr Barnier, who branded Chequers “a disaster” for the EU, Downing Street insisted the PM’s plan has got a “warm and positive response” from Europe’s capitals.
And aides said Mrs May and other Cabinet ministers will step up plans to bypass hardline Mr Barnier.
The PM’s spokesman added: “This is a decision which at the end of the process will be taken at a political level by the European Council.
“So you can obviously expect a continued and strong engagement with fellow European countries.”
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson also attacked Mr Barnier yesterday, saying: “He doesn’t know an awful lot about British politics”.
The row came as a new survey of Tory party members suggests to the PM’s summer offensive to win the grassroots round to her Brexit blueprint has failed.
Almost seven out of 10 – 69% - oppose Chequers, compared to 68% at the start of last month.
A former UKIP MEP last night tried to defect to the Tories.
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Steven Woolfe now sits as an independent in the European Parliament, after walking out of the anti-EU party.
Revealing his application, Mr Woolfe said: “Brexit and its success is in the hands of this government.
“That is why all Brexit supporters should join the Conservative party to exert pressure both locally and nationally on Tory MPs.
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