EU leaders say they want to help Theresa May pass Brexit deal but refuse to make serious concessions

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The rest can be discussed.” They added: “Renegotiation of the deal that was reached is not on the table and whatever assurances are given cannot contradict the deal that was made on 25 November.” Brussels essentially gave its backing to the prime minister ahead of the no confidence vote, with a spokesperson for the European Commission stating that Ms May had done a good job of “managing a very difficult process”. “I hope that, whatever happens, at least the vote will make clear that a disastrous no-deal is off the table.” The leaders of the European parliament’s political groups were the latest force to line up behind the EU’s united line of “no renegotiation” on Wednesday as they warned they would use their veto to block any withdrawal agreement that watered down the controversial “backstop”. The European parliament’s conference of presidents, which represents the leaders of its political groups, said in a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon that “the withdrawal agreement and political declaration are fair and balanced and represent, given EU principles, current UK red lines, and the commitments set out in the Good Friday Agreement, the only deal possible to secure an orderly withdrawal from the European Union”. Speaking at lunchtime, Margaritis Schinas, the European Commission’s chief spokesperson, told reporters: “The Commission will not comment on the internal politics of the United Kingdom and not least the Conservative Party, but President Juncker has on many occasions expressed his support for Prime Minister May and her role in managing a very difficult process.” UK officials have kept a low profile in Brussels ahead of the summit.