UK and EU post-brexit talks set to go forward

POST-BREXIT talks with the European Union will continue next week despite the UK and much of the continent being on a coronavirus-enforced lockdown.

Downing Street has confirmed Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove will co-chair discussions via video conference as the two sides look at implementing what is in the Withdrawal Agreement once the transition period ends on December 31.

Monday’s UK-EU joint committee is separate to the trade talks, which the Guardian reported were considered to be “in the deep freeze” due to Europe’s battle against Covid-19.

Draft legal texts were exchanged on March 18, with the UK proposing a free trade agreement and other mini-deals on aviation safety, air transport and civil nuclear industries as its basis for negotiation, but Government attention has turned to dealing with coronavirus in past weeks rather than Brexit.

Downing Street has continued to insist that the Government will not request to put back the deadline for a trade deal.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters on Friday: “In terms of the timetable, there is no change from our point of view.”

Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrats’ acting leader, said the Government was “incredibly irresponsible” with its decision to press on with the Brexit talks, despite chief negotiators in Westminster and Brussels respectively having contracted coronavirus.

The first meeting of the joint UK-EU committee is due to take place by video conference on Monday, March 30, with Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Mr Gove, leading for the UK.