Frost signals no deviation on ‘red lines’ as EU talks resume

THE UK’S chief negotiator has warned “we may not succeed” in securing a Brexit trade deal as he made a surprise arrival in Brussels for renewed talks.

Lord Frost signalled that he would not be deviating from Boris Johnson’s “red lines” amid speculation that the departure of Dominic Cummings from No 10 could herald concessions.

He said there had been “some progress in a positive direction” but admitted there were still “significant” differences between the UK and EU on fishing and the level playing field.

There has been speculation that Lord Frost could be one of the Vote Leave campaigners who might quit in the wake of the Mr Cummings’ departure.

However, sources said he remained in lock step with the Prime Minister on the Brexit negotiations despite some observers reading into his use of “I will not be changing it” a veiled warning to Boris Johnson against compromising.

Some ministers desperate for a deal are believed to be trying to push the Prime Minister towards accepting closer ties.

Simon Coveney, the Irish foreign minister, said a deal was “very doable” but also “very difficult” and could be scuppered by deadlock over fishing with the EU demanding 50 per cent of the catch in British waters and the UK sticking at 20 per cent.

Mr Coveney also repeated the EU’S warning that it would not ratify any deal unless clauses in the Internal Market Bill overriding the Brexit divorce terms were dropped.

The arrival of Lord Frost in Brussels underlined the efforts to accelerate progress. George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, made clear the Government was still prepared to walk away if necessary as he played down the impact of the dramatic departure by Mr Cummings – one of the most hardline Brexiteers in No 10.

But he said there did need to be “headlines” of a trade agreement this week. “There does come a point frankly where businesses need to know what they are preparing for,” he told Sophy

Ridge on Sunday, on Sky News.