The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier wrote on Twitter that he would reiterate on Monday at a planned meeting with Britain’s Brexit minister Steve Barclay that the EU would not reopen the Brexit deal, but was ready to rework the political declaration that accompanies it.

He tweeted: "I am looking forward to meeting @SteveBarclay in Brussels on Mon evening. I will listen to how the UK sees the way through. The EU will not reopen the Withdrawal Agreement. But I will reaffirm our openness to rework the Political Declaration in full respect of #EUCO guidelines".