Great talking to @Marthakearney & @MishalHusain on @BBCr4today this AM. In case you missed it, short thread on what I said. Let's not get carried away. Some Brexit drama was inevitable at this stage of the negotiation - & around EU summit. We shouldn't be surprised its arrived 1/

. @BorisJohnson was obviously unhappy at EU Council's conclusions. EU completely ignored his request that if a deal is not possible now, a concession could at least be offered on process - namely, an “intensification” . He got no banana, so has had to up the ante 2/

Many in @10DowningStreet also believe a second crisis was necessary to force movement out of EU, not least as IM Bill somewhat backfired. So Govt throwing kitchen sink at EU to create maximum pressure. But Boris will get round table again if EU makes right noises - & they are 3/

Bxl/27 are taking it all in their stride. Council conclusions were aimed at their domestic audience. They also think a bust up is normal before big compromises can be made. More imp than written communique was @EmmanuelMacron (& Merkel) pressers. There's an opening on fish 4/

EU no longer talking about “status quo access”; UK no longer talking about “coastal sovereignty”. Just like state aid, where talks have matured from “right to diverge” (UK) vs “integrity of S market” (EU). Now looking at policy fixes to address each sides real/genuine concerns 5/

No10 also couldn’t let “talks still on” narrative run into this weekend's pro-Brexit papers. Would have looked weak, so more hardball was needed. So: just because Barnier won't see Frost in London on Monday doesn't mean it's all over. Fundamentals for both haven't changed
ENDS