It is understood that a new Brexit readiness document will be published today subject to the Speaker approving a statement by Michael Gove.

The no-deal document will look at the preparations which have been made in advance of the October 31 EU departure date.

The paper is intended to provide more detail on no-deal planning, and to satisfy an appetite in Parliament for more information.

Downing Street has said it is clear that EU has adopted a new position on Brexit following a call between Boris Johnson and German chancellor Angela Merkel.

Oxford Mail: Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Sky News quoted a No 10 source as saying: "She has made clear a deal is overwhelmingly unlikely and she thinks the EU has a veto on us leaving the customs union."

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the comments were a "cynical" attempt by No 10 to "sabotage" negotiations with the EU.

"Boris Johnson will never take responsibility for his own failure to put forward a credible deal. His strategy from day one has been no-deal Brexit," Sir Keir said.

Shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer tweeted: "This is yet another cynical attempt by Number 10 to sabotage the negotiations.

"Boris Johnson will never take responsibility for his own failure to put forward a credible deal. His strategy from day one has been for a no deal Brexit.

"It is now more important than ever that Parliament unites to prevent this reckless Government crashing us out of the EU at the end of the month."

Labour MP Hilary Benn, chair of the Brexit Select Committee, tweeted: "I am afraid that this just demonstrates what a chaotic mess the Government has got itself into. Threats about security co-operation cannot be used as some kind of Brexit bargaining chip."

DUP leader Arlene Foster said: "The comments from the German Chancellor to the Prime Minister that Northern Ireland must remain in the EU Customs Union forever now reveal the real objective of Dublin and the European Union.

Oxford Mail: Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster.

"For the United Kingdom to be asked to leave a part of its sovereign territory in a foreign organisation of which the UK would no longer be a part and over which we would have no say whatsoever is beyond crazy. No UK Government could ever concede such a surrender.

"The EU is not interested in a negotiated outcome at this time. Their position is the UK can only leave with a deal if it agrees a binding piece of international law permanently tying either the whole country or a part of it to the EU's legal order over which it has no control.

"The true purpose of the 'backstop' is now in the open for an to see. Those who eagerly supported the backstop as the best of both worlds can now see the error of that assessment. It was neither temporary nor an insurance policy.

It appears that Martin Selmayr's remarks about Northern Ireland being the price of Brexit is still the EU negotiating stance.

"The Prime Minister's proposals have flushed out Dublin's real intentions to trap Northern Ireland in the EU Customs Union forever, where Dublin rather than the United Kingdom's elected representatives would be in the driving seat.

"We will not accept any such ultimatum or outcome."

Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "The UK government's attempts to shift the blame for the Brexit fiasco to anyone but themselves - today it's Merkel - is pathetically transparent."

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage tweeted: "No British Government could ever accept Germany telling us that part of the UK has to stay in the EU. The choice now is clear: A clean break Brexit, or stay in a new militarised empire. Time to choose freedom."

Oxford Mail: Ukip leader Nigel Farage during his party's referendum Brexit Battle Bus tour

In response to Mr Tusk's tweet, Tory MP and European Research Group chairman Steve Baker posted: "We'd like a deal. We'd like to end up in a relationship of the character the EU offered us last year. For the whole UK.

"But the EU has been encouraged by our weak and incompetent Parliament to think Northern Ireland is the price. That's wrong. Boris is right to defend our Union."

Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith tweeted: "I am clear that any threat on withdrawing security cooperation with Ireland is unacceptable. This is not in the interest of NI or the Union."

The Government has released its Brexit "no deal readiness report", with Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisting he will deliver an EU withdrawal by October 31.

He said: "I am determined to deliver by the end of this month."

Mr Johnson said: "If we are going to restore faith in our institutions, we must make sure that Britain leaves the EU on October 31."

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove said: "It is the top priority of this Government, and principal focus of my job, to get ready for Brexit on October 31 with or without a deal.

"We would prefer to leave with a deal, and continue to work in an energetic and determined way to achieve one, but we must be prepared for all eventualities.

"This report sets out what will change if we leave without a deal and explains what the Government is doing to get ready.

"Significant preparations have been under way for the last three years and these have been accelerated under the Prime Minister's leadership.

"At every point, the Government will be candid about any further challenges ahead as well as clear-eyed about the opportunities.

"Together, government, businesses and citizens are working so that we will be ready for Brexit on October 31 - and can look forward to the future with certainty and confidence."

The Government is to set up a "support unit" for suppliers of medical goods for the health sector in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

A Government spokesman said: "This will help to ensure that companies have the necessary customs paperwork in place for border arrangements ahead of Brexit on October 31, if we leave without a deal.

"These teams of specialists will be able to provide traders operating in the health and social care sector with up-to-date advice and practical guidance on the steps they need to take to prepare."

Irish deputy leader Simon Coveney tweeted that it was "hard to disagree" with Mr Tusk's statement.

He added: "Reflects the frustration across EU and the enormity of what's at stake for us all. We remain open to finalize a fair #Brexit deal but need a UK Govt willing to work with EU to get it done."