Jean-Claude Juncker shoots down Theresa May’s backstop renegotiation plan

Theresa May’s hopes of securing changes to the Brexit backstop have been dealt a serious blow by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

In a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday afternoon, Juncker ruled out replacing the controversial plan with “alternative arrangements” – a move backed by UK MPs last week.

He also refused to accept a unilateral escape mechanism could be inserted into the protocol – another proposal that could win over Brexit-backing MPs.

May has vowed to address concerns over the backstop – which would see the UK stay in the EU’s customs union after Brexit if no trade deal is ready to be implemented.

MPs last week backed a plan to replace the backstop with alternative arrangements designed to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, and Downing Street has repeatedly insisted the withdrawal deal agreed by the EU in December would need to be reopened in order to address those concerns.

Juncker shot down that idea, and said: “We cannot accept the idea that has been circulated around that the withdrawal agreement could be reopened and as the backstop is part of the withdrawal agreement we cannot reopen the discussion on the backstop.”

He added: “Alternative arrangements, they will never replace the backstop. There is no way to have a unilateral jumping out of the backstop.”

Appearing alongside Juncker, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the withdrawal agreement already represents a compromise by the EU, who initially only wanted the backstop plan to encompass Northern Ireland.

Varadkar revealed he would be having dinner with May in Dublin on Friday, and said he is “confident” a solution to the impasse can be found.

He claimed the only party in the talks threatening ‘no deal’ were the British, and said: “We are making no preparations, no plans, for physical infrastructure on the border.”

Earlier on Wednesday, European Council President Donald Tusk launched an extraordinary attack on those who advocated Brexit.

“I've been wondering what that special place in hell looks like, for those who promoted Brexit, without even a sketch of a plan how to carry it out safely,” he said.

Commons leader Andrea Leadsom described his comment as “pretty disgraceful”, “completely unacceptable” and “spiteful”.