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The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier criticised the UK for the lack of progress in post-Brexit talks, as the two sides concluded their fourth round of talks on Friday. The French diplomat accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson of backtracking on the commitments made in the Political Declaration, which includes the level playing field, fisheries, foreign policy and defence, as well as police and judicial cooperation. He said of the agreement: “It will remain for us the only valid reference, the only relevant precedent in this negotiation.

“That was agreed by both sides. Yet, round after round, our British counterparts seek to distance themselves from this common basis.”

However, his British counterpart, David Frost, appeared to downplay the significance of the document signed by Mr Johnson, telling journalists afterwards that something being mentioned in the document “doesn’t mean that everything in the declaration must go into a legally binding treaty”.

Because of the deadlock, many are now urging the Government to extend the transition period at the end of the month, but Downing Street insists it will not do so, therefore raising the chances of a no deal divorce at the end of the year.

As uncertainty continues, unearthed reports shed light on Priti Patel’s unique insight into the Brexit negotiations.

In 2017, the now Home Secretary, revealed why former Prime Minister Theresa May was reluctant in revealing the Government’s Brexit strategy, despite MPs demanding a vote on the negotiating plan before Article 50 was invoked.

Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, Ms Patel explained: “If I were to sit down and play poker with you this morning, I’m not going to show you my cards before we even start playing the game.”

She stressed that debates were happening every day in the Commons and the Government would have been held to account by a new Brexit select committee.

She added: “We look at everything that happens in Parliament and obviously the debates that are taking place now and the debates that people are alluding to as well.

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“We will work with all colleagues.

“This isn’t about a them or us mentality whatsoever, we are listening to colleagues, respectfully.”

Ms Patel’s claims came as former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg joined forces with then Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer to renew calls for a vote on the Brexit mandate.

Mr Clegg denied it was an attempt to delay the triggering of Article 50.

He told Andrew Marr: “It’s not at all.

“It is in an attempt to ensure that as the Government pursues its mandate of pulling us out of the EU they do so in a workable way, a legal way and crucially in a way that doesn’t throw the Single Market baby out with the EU bath water.”

He added: “I strongly suspect if the Government comes with a sensible coherent plan for Brexit they will win a majority across the sides of the House of Commons.”

According to newspaper columnist Rod Liddle, the reason why former Prime Minister Theresa May failed to deliver Brexit is because her ministers ended up “showing her hand”, effectively taking away her strongest weapon: the threat of a no deal divorce.

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In his 2019 book “The Great Betrayal”, Mr Liddle said: “Theresa May’s most crucial bargaining chip – we will leave with no deal – was rendered impotent by the actions of members of her own Cabinet and especially the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

“The correct approach to negotiations would’ve been to explain to Barnier et al at the outset: ‘’We are leaving the EU.’

“’We are perfectly happy to do so with no deal other than a WTO deal, and pay you nothing whatsoever.’

“‘But you are our friends and allies and we would like to be helpful…’ “

However, Mr Liddle noted that Mrs May could could scarcely use the threat of no deal – which would be gravely injurious to countries within the EU – because the threat was palpably false.

He explained: “At various stages, over the course of 18 months, when May and her team left for negotiations, Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, would state either that there was no possibility of a no deal Brexit, or that a no deal Brexit would mean planes won’t be able to take off or that the economy would be ruined.

“Fellow front-bench Remainers echoed these remarks and added a few of their own.

“Seen from the EU perspective, this made it clear that ‘no deal’ was a paper tiger.

“It should have been the starting point from which negotiations proceeded and of course, Hammond should have been sacked.

“In short, May’s strongest weapon was effectively taken away from her.”

Mr Hammond resigned as Chancellor hours before Mr Johnson became Prime Minister in July.

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