The outcome of the Brexit negotiations may be extremely uncertain. But according to old Brussels hands one thing is clear. If we want to get a good deal out of the rest of the EU we have to be much nicer to them.

Boris Johnson in particular has been slammed for rubbing other EU leaders up the wrong way with his ill-judged gags. These may go down well in the Eton sixth form common room or even the House of Commons but they fall flat in the Brussels Berlaymont, say the diplomats.