Tuesday 02 April 2019 8:09 am | Updated: Monday 03 June 2019 12:42 am

Cabinet prepares to meet as Michel Barnier warns no-deal Brexit ‘more likely’

Ministers are preparing for a five-hour cabinet marathon this morning after MPs again failed to agree a way forward on Brexit.

Meanwhile Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, warned that a no-deal Brexit “becomes day after day more likely” as the UK’s extended deadline of 12 April approaches.

“No deal was never our desire or intended scenario but the EU 27 is now prepared,” he said this morning.

MPs yesterday voted on four alternatives to the Prime Minister’s own withdrawal agreement, but none won a majority.

The deadlock prompted Tory MP Nick Boles, the architect of one softer Brexit option that lost by 21 votes, to announce he was quitting the Conservatives “because my party refuses to compromise”.

A customs union with the EU – pushed by Remainer Ken Clarke – lost by three votes while a motion for a second referendum garnered the most votes but failed to win.

The UK could still seek a further delay from the EU, but Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay said to so the government must present a “credible proposition” of next steps.

Barnier said threee scenarios could unfold – the Prime Minister’s deal passing in a fourth meaningful vote, the UK asking for a longer extension to Brexit, or the UK crashing out without a deal.

The negotiator said a further delay to Brexit held “significant risks for the EU”, and would require a “strong justification”.

Mr Barnier added that any extension carried "significant risks for the EU" and that a "strong justification would be needed" before the EU would agree.

Labour MP and Brexit select committee chairman Hilary Benn told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that a referendum was the best route forward.

“A good leader would be taking that decision and put it back to the people,” he said.