Johnson rebuffed again in bid to speak with Merkel and Macron over EU negotiations

Boris Johnson confirmed on Sunday that the European Commission had once again blocked his attempts to engage directly with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron as negotiations enter the 11th hour.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s offer of a meeting with EU leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, has been knocked back (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Boris Johnson has confirmed he has been rebuffed again in efforts to speak with European Union leaders as he strives to secure fresh trade terms.

Senior ministers have said in recent days that the current logjam in the post-Brexit trade talks requires a political solution, with the British Prime Minister offering last week to tour European capitals in order to iron out the remaining differences.