The row over Brexit escalated dramatically yesterday as Theresa May rejected a call from an EU chief to fast-track the UK’s departure deal.
The prime minister rebuffed an 18-month timescale laid out by Michel Barnier, the European Commission’s chief Brexit negotiator.
May is planning to trigger Article 50, to start the process of quitting the EU, by next March.
Barnier said “time will be short” and an agreement should be reached before October 2018.
But No 10 refused to accept his proposed timetable.
A spokesman for the government said: “We’ve been clear on our timetable, we will trigger A50 and then there is a two-year period for negotiations.  We’re not looking to extend that process but what the government is focused on is getting best possible deal.”
Barnier also struck a tough stance against allowing Britain to “cherry pick” over its new relationship with the EU. But he appeared open to a “transitional period” for Britain as it leaves the union.
Speaking for the first time about the complex talks, he said: “The single market and its four freedoms are indivisible.” Being a member of the EU comes with rights and benefits, he added. “A third country can never have the same rights and benefits since they are not subject to the same obligations,” he said.
Barnier said Article 50 talks should be concluded in October 2018, with Britain, the European Parliament and other bodies then having five months to ratify the split.
“We all have a common interest in not prolonging this state of lack of certainty,” he said. “We are ready, keep calm and negotiate!”
EU leaders are keen to avoid Brexit continuing into the run-up to European Parliament elections in 2019.
Barnier said he was aiming for an “orderly” departure of the UK from the union. “There would be some point and usefulness of a transitional period if it eased the path towards a future arrangement in this new partnership,” he added.
His timetable was welcomed by pro-Brexit MPs. Peter Bone said: “He was right to say that this negotiation should be much quicker than two years.” Fellow Tory Philip Davies said: “I welcome that (timetable). Either the EU wants a trade deal with us, or they don’t.”
As the Supreme Court held its second day of its hearing on whether Parliament should have a say on triggering Article 50, May was urged by London Tory MPs to set out her “high-level” Brexit plans.
Senior Conservative MP Bob Neill, co-chairman of the cross-party group of London MPs, said his “instinct” was to back a Labour motion today which could inflict a first parliamentary defeat on the PM.
Labour’s motion acknowledges some elements of the government’s position should remain secret but urges May to “commit to publishing the government’s plan for leaving the EU” before the formal process begins.