The Brexit talks were literally on thin ice today - as the EU's Maros Sefcovic took a tumble on a slippery step.
Mr Sefcovic nearly came a-cropper as he arrived at Chevening for discussions with Liz Truss on the Northern Ireland protocol.
The Foreign Secretary and ministers looked on aghast as he nearly lost his balance by the entrance to the stately home in Kent, but quickly recovered.
Mr Sefcovic tweeted pictures of the pair strolling around the grounds and said they had an 'opportunity' to resolve critical issues.
The Brexit divorce rules have been blamed for fuelling sectarian tensions in Northern Ireland, with the DUP demanding the protocol is axed altogether.
The UK government has threatened to invoke Article 16 and suspend the arrangements if Brussels does not agree to a deeper overhaul.
Maros Sefcovic nearly came a-cropper as he arrived at Chevening for discussions with Liz Truss on the Northern Ireland protocol
The EU vice-president and Foreign Secretary are holding discussions at the stately home in Kent today
Mr Sefcovic tweeted pictures of the pair strolling around the grounds and said they had an 'opportunity' to resolve critical issues
Speaking ahead of the talks, Ms Truss said: 'There is a deal to be done that protects peace in Northern Ireland, defends our Union, and maintains the integrity of the United Kingdom and EU. But it will require a pragmatic approach from the EU.
'I will be putting forward practical, reasonable solutions starting from these fundamental principles, with a view to agreeing a plan for intensive negotiations.
'The EU has a clear responsibility to help fix the myriad problems caused by the Protocol and protect the Good Friday Agreement.'
Boris Johnson handed responsibility for Brexit to Ms Truss last month following the resignation of Brexit Minister Lord Frost over policy differences.
Lord Frost, who negotiated the original Brexit deal, adopted a hardline approach to the talks, which yielded a number of concessions, but which was also blamed by some for souring the mood on central
