Brexit deadlock is ‘unforgivable’

Scottish external affairs secretary Michael Russell has declared it “unforgivable” for the UK Government to be “running down the clock” with post-brexit trade talks now approaching deadlock.

Both the EU and UK have refused to back down on the key issues of fisheries and state aid. EU negotiator Michel Barnier said yesterday agreeing a deal before the deadline “seems unlikely”, as he claimed Britain was “wasting valuable time”.

His UK counterpart David Frost also warned “there has been little progress” after the conclusion of the seventh round of talks yesterday.

Mr Russell said: “It is unforgivable for the UK Government to be recklessly running down the clock and causing maximum economic uncertainty at a time when jobs and the economy are already being hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

“It defies belief that in the middle of this crisis, the UK Governmentisdetermined to force Scotland and the UK out of the Brexit transition period at the worst possible time. The only possible options now ... are a low deal or no deal, both of which will cause further substantial, needless damage to the economy.”