Barnier expected to stay on as chief EU Brexit negotiator

Varadkar will be happy to keep a key ally in Europe who is close to the new EU Commission president

EU Brexit chief negotiator Michel Barnier with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar Pic: AFP/Getty

The government expects Michel Barnier to remain as a key Brexit negotiator even if there is a crash-out Brexit.

Barnier’s role as the EU chief Brexit negotiator will expire if Britain leaves the EU on the scheduled departure date of October 31. Even if there is an extension, his position will officially end when the new European Commission takes office on the following day, November 1.

But sources in Dublin and in Brussels ...