Who gets the biggest slice?
Brexit negotiators send out for late-night pizza as talks falter
BREXIT negotiators sent for latenight pizza as the clock ticked down to the trade deal deadline.
Top British official Lord Frost and EU counterpart Michel Barnier ordered takeaways from Pizza Pilgrims for their teams as the talks drag on.
A senior Government source said last night: “At the 11th hour, the EU is bringing new elements into the negotiation. A breakthrough is still possible in the next few days but that prospect is receding.”
The transition ends on December 31 and without any agreement, tariffs and quotas will be imposed on trade between the UK and the bloc.
Downing Street sources played down any imminent outcome. One said: “I haven’t seen any white smoke.”
Irish foreign minister Simon Cov
eney said talks were “at the very end” and warned: “It’s the time to hold our nerve and trust Michel Barnier.”
EU official Stefaan de Rynck, on Mr Barnier’s team, said talks had failed to settle “significant divergences” on fishing rights, a “level playing field” to ensure no side undercuts the other, and oversight of a deal.
An EU diplomat said: “We need a movement on the UK’s side if we want to strike a deal.”
Cabinet Minister
Gavin Williamson was “confident” of progress but insisted it must be
“a deal that is right for Britain”. The Government is poised to override the legally binding Withdrawal Agreement. MPs will be asked
to reinsert Northern Ireland provisions into the UK Internal Market Bill after peers voted to remove them.
Boris Johnson’s spokesman said they “protect the integrity of the UK’s internal market”.
A breakthrough could be painful for Labour. Leader Keir Starmer is thought to be willing to bow to pressure from backbenchers in Brexitbacking heartlands and force MPs to support a pact in the Commons.
But Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds, an ex-MEP, wants the party to abstain. Mr Starmer vowed to “discuss it as a team and be united”.
At the 11th hour the EU is bringing in new elements to the talks
SENIOR GOVERNMENT SOURCE ON STALEMATE