Brexit: May's trip to Brussels is her 'last shot' says Grube 1769456723T4BspXZJ
Leading European figures have questioned the chances of a breakthrough change to Mrs May's beleaguered Brexit deal. Greece's Europe Minister Georgios Katrougalos and the former Danish Ambassador to the UK Claus Grube said that the "ball is in the UK's court". Their remarks come as Mrs May makes a last-minute dash to the continent today, to meet with Dutch leader Mark Rutte, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Council president Donald Tusk.
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Mr Katrougalos mocked the idea that the EU could "renegotiate a text that has already taken us three years to find a compromise" in just a week.
He added: "We will see what May would like to hear, what political assurances she needs. But we cannot change the backstop."
Mr Grube echoed these remarks and urged Mrs May to act quickly today during her visit to European leaders.
He said: "The clock is ticking. There is very little time left until the Brexit day.
There is only one shot left - and this is it
"There is only one shot left - and this is it."
The former ambassador to the UK claimed that the other 27 EU states were "interested to learn what May thinks could carry a majority in the Parliament".
He added: "So far in the recent debates, there doesn’t seem to be there is a majority for any alternative."
Adding to this pressure on Mrs May, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has insisted that the Withdrawal Agreement will not be reopened.
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Speaking at a session of the European Parliament, Mr Juncker said: "We have achieved the best deal possible. It’s the only deal possible. There is no room whatsoever for further renegotiation."
Following the decision to delay the Brexit vote yesterday, the pound dropped to a 20-month low.Â
Theresa May, who is meeting European leaders and EU officials for talks today, has said she needs "further assurances" about the Northern Ireland backstop.
No date has been set for the Brexit deal to be put before MPs, but Mrs May indicated that the final deadline for the vote was 21 January.