Europe’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier (Photo: Xinhua/ VNA)

Barnier floated the prospect of extending the Brexit transition at a special meeting with ambassadors from the EU’s 27 member states. His idea would allow an extra two years to negotiate a trading relationship, but means the UK would continue to follow EU rules and pay into its budget with no wherewithal of its own for a total of six and a half years after the 2016 vote to leave.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Theresa May warned that a leadership change wouldn't make Brexit negotiations easier, as opponents in her Conservative Party threaten to unseat her.