Brexit talks on hold despite Barnier offer

TRADE TALKS between the UK and European Union remained in limbo last night, despite an offer from Michel Barnier to “intensify” negotiations.

Mr Barnier, the EU’s negotiator, spoke to Boris Johnson’s Europe adviser Lord Frost yesterday in an effort to revive the process. But Downing Street said that unless there is a “fundamental change of approach” from Brussels, “there is no basis to resume talks”. The negotiations stalled after a meeting of leaders from the 27 European Union member states last week failed to produce a breakthrough.

Following his discussion with Lord Frost, Mr Barnier said the EU was prepared to continue talks across all subjects. Crucially, he indicated that the EU would also be prepared to discuss “legal texts” for a deal, something the UK has been pushing for.

A Number 10 spokesman said there had been a “constructive discussion” and the two teams would remain in close touch, but stressed that there was no hope of progress unless Brussels dramatically altered its position.

He suggested the EU must adopt an approach consistent with an acceptance that “movement needs to come from the EU side as well as the UK”.

BORIS JOHNSON is pursuing a “Narnia deal” with the European Union, Labour warned as it urged the UK Government to secure a trade agreement.

Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Rachel Reeves said the Opposition expects the Prime Minister and his team to broker an arrangement to enable the UK to trade freely with the EU.

Speaking in the Commons, the Leeds West MP added: “They can call it no deal, they can call it an Australia deal, they can call it a Narnia deal as far as I’m concerned, but let’s be honest about what that means – and let’s be honest about how damaging it is for the country.”

After a Tory MP shouted “it’s not damaging”, Ms Reeves countered: “Ten per cent tariffs on British cars being exported to the European Union – that is damage. Forty per cent tariffs on lamb being exported to the European Union – that is damage. And if any member wants to stand up and tell their constituents, tell British industry and tell British farming that that is not damaging, be my guest – but it’s not the truth.”

Ms Reeves asked the Government to publish its full economic impact assessment on the nodeal implications, broken down by industry, regions and nations of the UK.

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove defended the Government’s approach and claimed their “firmness” with the EU is “now bearing fruit”.

He said: “Even as we were exchanging thoughts across the despatch box earlier, it is the case my colleague David Frost was in conversation with Michel Barnier. I now believe it is the case Michel Barnier has agreed both to the intensification of talks and also to working on legal texts.

“I think a reflection of the strength and resolution ( of) our Prime Minister, in stark contrast to the approach on which the Opposition have often enjoined us of simply accepting what the EU wants at every stage.”

Hilary Benn, Leeds Central MP and Labour chairman of the Commons Select Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union, said: “It’s quite clear that negotiations are continuing and I think the war of words now needs to stop. Both sides need to get together and agree a deal, recognising that both will have to compromise.”

SDLP MP Claire Hanna ( Belfast South) asked Mr Gove whether there is “any upper limit” to the damage Northern Ireland should have to sustain due to Brexit. She said: “We’ve 70 days to go here and businesses deep in the middle of a pandemic are trying their best to prepare, but there are so many unanswered questions which all add up to costs Northern Ireland can’t afford.”

Responding to her, Mr Gove said: “We’ve made significant progress today in the joint committee thanks to the constructive approach taken by vice- president Maros Sefcovic.”

Downing Street has stressed that if no deal is in place by the end of the year, when the current transition arrangements end, the UK will not return to the negotiating table in 2021. The major stumbling blocks remain access for EU boats to UK fishing grounds and the “level playing field” to ensure fair competition, including any state subsidies that the Government might seek to give firms.

The developments came as the Government launched a “time is running out” campaign urging businesses to prepare for the end of the transition period on December 31, regardless of any deal.

They can call it a Narnia deal, but let’s be honest what that means. Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Rachel Reeves.