Michel Barnier: Suave diplomat who has kept 27 EU states united

EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Dubbed the Dr No of Brexit talks by UK critics, the EU’s chief withdrawal negotiator Michel Barnier has always insisted he only wants to treat Britain fairly.

But former French minister Mr Barnier has displayed military discipline in keeping the remaining 27 EU states united as the UK and Brussels try to hammer out the terms of their very public divorce.