Brexit: Irish PM says deal with EU cannot be renegotiated, as Theresa May's negotiator spotted in Brussels

Leo Varadkar says he would be open to statement clarifying contents of withdrawal agreement

The Brexit deal struck between Theresa May and the EU cannot be renegotiated, the Irish prime minister as said – as Theresa May’s chief negotiator is spotted getting off a train in Brussels.

Leo Varadkar issued the warning as news broke that Downing Street wants to postpone Tuesday’s planned vote on the withdrawal agreement for fear MPs will reject it.

“The withdrawal agreement, including the Irish backstop is the only agreement on the table. It’s not possible to reopen any aspect of that agreement without reopening all aspects,” Mr Varadkar told reporters in Dublin.

The Taoiseach however indicated that he would be open to a non-binding statement “clarifying” what was in the withdrawal agreement if it helped Ms May pass the deal, but said it could not be changed in any real way.

It comes as No.10’s chief Brexit negotiator Olly Robbins was spotted heading towards a taxi rank at Brussels South station, fresh from the Eurostar. He is widely thought to be seeking further concessions to bolster the deal’s popularity back in the UK, though British officials declined to comment on his presence.

Mr Varadkar added: “I have no difficulty with statements that clarify what’s in the withdrawal agreement but no statement of clarification can contradict what’s in the withdrawal agreement.”

He added that the backstop was part of the withdrawal agreement due to red lines imposed by the UK government.

The Irish PM, who has had a central role in negotiating Brexit due to the Irish border issue, may be referring to a so-called “side-declaration” – effectively an official commentary on how both sides expect the deal to be implemented.

All senior EU figures have taken a united line that the deal struck last month is the only one on the table.

A spokesperson for the European Commission told reporters in Brussels on Monday afternoon: “We have an agreement on the table that was endorsed by the European Council in its Article 50 format on the 25 November. As President Juncker said, this deal is the best and only deal possible.

“We will not renegotiate, our position has not changed, and as far as we are concerned the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union on 29 March 2019.”

Tuesday’s vote was supposed to precede a European Council summit scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Brussels. Theresa May is set to attend, along with the other 27 EU national leaders.

There were some reports that the Prime Minister herself might travel to the EU capital beforehand in a bid to secure more concessions, though Downing Street has not confirmed this.