Davis takes Brexit plan on tour of Europe

David Davis is taking his Brexit message across Europe after suffering a setback in Brussels.

The Brexit Secretary is meeting members of Spain’s government as part of his effort to build bridges across the continent.

Mr Davis’s meeting with the administration of prime minister Mariano Rajoy came after a setback in Brussels saw UK officials agree to the Brexit timetable set out by the European Commission’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier.

Talks in Spain are expected to include the thorny issue of Gibraltar after the EU’S guidelines for talks suggested the disputed territory’s future economic status might be subject to a veto from Madrid.

British sources have insisted the sovereignty of the Rock is not up for discussion as part of the Brexit talks.

The Brexit Secretary had wanted trade talks to take place in parallel with negotiations on the divorce from Brussels but the UK reluctantly accepted Mr Barnier’s timetable.

Mr Davis said he was optimistic about the process and the British appeared upbeat about the prospects of trade talks beginning before the final details of divorce proceedings had been agreed.