Always going to be tough but early spat is worrying

THERE is one area of agreement between Britain and the EU – both sides accepted the Brexit talks were going to be turbulent and hard going.

So we should not be surprised by the waspish exchanges between David Davis and Michel Barnier yesterday.

At some point a bust-up was inevitable. What is worrying is it has happened so early in the process on the key matters of the divorce bill and citizens’ rights. These issues have to be resolved before talks can begin on striking a new trading relationship.

To break the deadlock Davis may have to give ground on Britain’s financial obligations. But he then faces a hard-sell to voters that backed Leave on the promise we could spend our EU contribution on the NHS.