Leo Varadkar set to block next stage of Brexit talks

The Taoiseach has said he is not optimistic that the UK will be able to do enough by next month to move onto the next phase of negotiations on Brexit.

The Government, which has the power to prevent the talks progressing, is adamant that talks to date have left the sides not even close to where they need to be in order to enter phase two.

The refusal by Mr Varadkar to allow London to move onto the next phase will likely frustrate UK prime minister Theresa May who wants to hammer out a fresh deal on future relations with the EU.