EU leaders ‘have accepted UK is leaving without a deal’

Brussels is said to be operating on a “working hypothesis” that Boris Johnson “isn’t bluffing” about crashing out of the bloc.

Downing Street has said Boris Johnson wants to negotiate a new Brexit deal “with the greatest energy”, amid reports EU leaders have accepted the UK is going to leave without an agreement.

Brussels is said to be operating on a “working hypothesis of no-deal” after accepting the prime minister “isn’t bluffing” about crashing out of the bloc.

It comes after a meeting on Monday between European Commission officials and Brexit diplomats from the 27 other EU member states.

Mr Frost was sent to Brussels to deliver the message that the UK will be leaving on 31 October “whatever the circumstances”.

A senior EU diplomat is quoted by The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian as saying a no-deal Brexit appears to be the UK government’s “central scenario”.