Donald Tusk today claimed it was up to Britain to decide whether there would be a good Brexit, no deal or even no Brexit at all after last week’s summit.
The EU Council President said the most important thing for the remaining EU members was staying united.
His remark that ‘no Brexit’ is in London’s hands will be seized on by Remain supporters determined to overturn the referendum result.
Mr Tusk, who chairs the meetings of EU leaders, reported back to the European Parliament this morning on last week’s crunch summit.
EU leaders agreed to start work on their own position for Brexit trade talks but stopped short of opening formal negotiations as Theresa May wanted.
Donald Tusk (pictured today in the European Parliament) claimed it was up to Britain to decide whether there would be a good Brexit, no deal or even no Brexit at all after last week’s summit
Mr Tusk told MEPs today he was ‘obsessed by unity’ and said he had worked hard to give David Cameron enough in his renegotiation to keep all 28 countries together.
He said: ‘Last Friday all the leaders agreed that the priority for them is unity among 27. This was voiced in unison.’
The President added: ‘But ahead of us is still the toughest stress test. If we fail it, the negotiations will end in our defeat.
‘We must keep our unity regardless of the direction of the talks. The EU will be able to rise to every scenario as long as we are not divided.
‘It is in fact up to London how this will end: with a good deal, no deal or no Brexit. But in each of these scenarios we will protect our common interest only by being together.’
The Prime Minister reported back to MPs last night on the summit, talking up her chances of striking a deal following the crunch talks.
She suggested the two-year transition phase she has promised businesses might not happen if a new post-Brexit trade deal is not reached.
Jeremy Corbyn accused Theresa May (pictured in the Commons last night) of failing to make progress on securing a Brexit deal as he warned her ‘avoiding Armageddon is setting the bar a bit low’
But she insisted the Government is in ‘touching distance’ of an agreement with the bloc on major issues such as EU citizens rights.
Mrs May told the House: ‘The point of the implementation period is to put in place the practical changes necessary to move to the future partnership.
‘In order to have that you need to know what the future partnership is going to be.’
Her comments were seized upon by Labour MPs who warned it would mean a ‘cliff edge’ Brexit.
It comes after the CBI, Chambers of Commerce, Institute of Directors, EEF and Federation of Small Business united today to call for an urgent Brexit transition deal.
After being attacked by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn Mrs May hit back and said: ‘We haven’t reached a final agreement but it’s going to happen.’
Revealing she was citing Angela Merkel and Donald Tusk, the Premier added: ‘I’d have a degree of confidence we are going to get to sufficient progress by December.’