BRUSSELS chiefs last night warned a no deal Brexit is “more likely than ever before” following a fresh deadlock in the Brexit talks.

EU Council chief Donald Tusk delivered the stark message to Britain as he urged Member States to further ramp up their preparations for a crash out.

In a letter to EU leaders he said: “We wished for maximum progress and results that would lead to a deal in October.

“As things stand today, it has proven to be more complicated than some may have expected.

“We must prepare the EU for a no-deal scenario, which is more likely than ever before.”

His remarks came as European capitals scrambled to repair the damage from Sunday’s disastrous meeting between Mr Raab and Michel Barnier.

No10 confirmed Theresa May will make another plea to the 27 EU leaders on Wednesday night at the start of a “moment of truth” summit for any deal.

But she will then leave the Brussels gathering as the bosses discuss whether to hold a final emergency summit in November to try to crack a deal.

Sources said alongside a row over the Irish border the UK’s “intransigence” over linking the Brexit bill to a trade deal “astonished” EU negotiators.

Member States have now ditched hopes of an agreement being reached at tomorrow’s summit but want to get talks back on track for a November deal.

They want negotiations to resume immediately after a crunch dinner of leaders amid hopes a deal is still close at hand.

French president Emmanuel Macron hinted enough progress can still be made this week to trigger a November summit, saying: “I believe we can move forward.”

Meanwhile German chancellor Angela Merkel said the impasse over the Irish border is making reaching a deal “more difficult”.

She said: “If it doesn’t work out this week, we must continue negotiating, that is clear, but time is pressing.”

And Irish PM Leo Varadkar added: “The possibility remains open to having an emergency summit in November if we can get to a deal.

“I figure November/December is probably the best opportunity for a deal but this is a dynamic situation we’re always open to compromise.”

European capitals have been irritated at being kept in the dark by Mr Barnier’s team over the details of last week’s talks.

But one upbeat diplomat said: “That they keep it to themselves shows that they think a deal is close.

“We’re close on the withdrawal agreement, but on the future relationship there are still some things open, so we need more time to do that.”