Michel Barnier taunts Boris Johnson with photo-op at ‘level playing field’ as Brexit talks drag on

EU negotiator risks British sense of humour failure

The EU chief negotiator paid a visit to a football pitch in Regent’s Park (@MichelBarnier/Twitter )

Michel Barnier has taunted Boris Johnson by holding a photo-op at a playing field in London, as Brexit talks enter their crucial final phase.

The EU's chief negotiator, who is in the British capital for trade negotiations, posted a photo of himself at a football pitch at the city's Regent's Park.

"Short break from intense EU-UK negotiations in London," he commented, adding: "Went looking for level playing fields..."

The negotiator's joke is a reference to the so-called "level playing field", a concept proposed by the EU that would keep the UK aligned with European regulations to prevent unfair competition.

The prime minister has been reticent to sign up to the EU's demands on the issue, with UK officials saying they need the policy space to decide what is in the UK’s interest in the future.

The stunt, likely to set eyes rolling in Westminster, is reminiscent of a previous episode in September 2018 when EU council president Donald Tusk taunted then prime minister Theresa May on his Instagram account.

He had offered her a cake during her visit to an EU summit – posting a photograph of the encounter with the caption: “A piece a cake, perhaps? Sorry, no cherries." The comment, which enraged Brexiteers, was a reference to the EU accusing the UK of wanting to “have its cake and eat it”, as well as “cherry-picking” the benefits of EU membership. 

The current London round of trade talks is due to end on Friday, with both sides set return to their respective offices for the weekend. No breakthrough is expected this week.

A further round of discussions is due to take place in Brussels next week, with some diplomats suggesting that an EU leaders' videoconference on Thursday could act as an informal deadline for pulling the plug on the stalled negotiations.

While both sides pledged last month to intensify talks and step up their timetable, there has been little progress to show so far. Officials say a deal would need to be done by the middle of this month at the latest to give time for it to be ratified at the end of the year.

If no deal is done in time, Britain will leave the EU single market and customs union on 31 December without a deal. Disruption is expected with or without an agreement, but trade experts say it would be more intense if nothing is put in place.

Asked about negotiations, a UK government spokesperson said:  “Negotiators are working hard to bridge the still significant gaps which remain."