'Brutal' Commission insider deliberately derailing Brexit with 'ridiculous' €60 billion demand

Charles Grant, the director of the pro-EU Centre for European Reform think-tank, said if that was the kind of deal the government wanted, a showdown with hard-line Brexiteers was necessary.

“There will have to be a transitional period in which we stay in the single market and the customs union, pay into the EU budget, accept ECJ rulings and, probably, accept free movement,” he said.

“At some point between now and March, Theresa May will have to face down the hardline Brexiteers and break with them, if she wants to obtain a half-decent deal.”