Have our cake and eat it? ‘No’ says Barnier

In his speech to the Centre for European Reform think-tank, he added that it was for the UK to “come forward with proposals” for how to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, raising the possibility that different rules could be applied in Northern Ireland and the mainland. Barnier even used Theresa May’s much-mocked catchphrase “Brexit means Brexit” as he dismissed the “contradictions” of Leave supporters who argue that Britain can continue to enjoy some of the benefits of the single market while ditching its core principle of freedom of movement.

Pointedly noting that “the UK knows the rules” because it had a part in drawing them up, he insisted that the principles of the market were “non-negotiable”.

He added: “We take note of the UK decision to end free movement of people. This means, clearly, that the UK will close the benefits of the single market. This is a legal reality.”