The EU’s chief negotiator told ministers of the 27 remaining countries in the bloc that the leader of the British opposition had sought a head-to-head meeting with him. Mr Barnier and Mr Corbyn will hold talks in Le Berlaymont, the EU’s headquarters in Brussels, on Thursday morning. Shortly after, the Prime Minister will attend the EU summit and appeal to the EU27 and Brussels chiefs to allow the UK to prolong its stay in the bloc for a few more weeks, until June 30.
Mr Corbyn’s trip to Brussels is likely to spark concern in Downing Street, with the Prime Minister possibly fearing that EU leaders will receive mixed messages from the UK at a time where it was required to show unity and bring to Brussels a cross-party solution to the Brexit deadlock.
The Labour leader, who while in Brussels will also meet European fellow socialist opposition leaders and prime ministers such as Spain’s Pedro Sanchez, will have the rare opportunity to discuss directly with Brussels chief Mr Barnier his vision for Brexit.
Mr Corbyn is advocating for a deal that will keep the UK within the customs union.
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Jeremy Corbyn is to meet Michel Barnier before Theresa May's plea to the EU27 (Image: GETTY)
This solution would not require any Irish backstop, but would forever link the UK to the single market and make it more difficult for the country to strike trade
