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'Brexit's not a game' warning after 'constructive talks' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier has warned that "Brexit is not a game" after being asked whose court he thought "the ball is in". | |
He was speaking to the BBC after a "good" and "constructive" working lunch with the UK's Brexit Secretary David Davis as negotiations continue. | |
Next week EU leaders decide if enough progress has been made to move talks on to the UK's future trade relations. | |
The UK is set to leave the European Union at the end of March 2019. | |
Both EU and UK teams have said the ball is in the other side's court this week - implying that it is the other side that has to make the next concession. | |
This week's talks came as ministers sought to ease disquiet among Brexit-backing MPs about the UK's strategy for a two year "transition" period between being a full EU member and the UK's eventual post-Brexit relations with the EU. | |
Downing Street said it wanted the process to be "as smooth as possible". | Downing Street said it wanted the process to be "as smooth as possible". |
After Theresa May briefed her cabinet on Tuesday, a No 10 spokesman said the government hoped to negotiate a deal with the EU on the terms of exit but was prepared for all eventualities - a reference to what some believe is the growing likelihood of a "no deal" scenario. | After Theresa May briefed her cabinet on Tuesday, a No 10 spokesman said the government hoped to negotiate a deal with the EU on the terms of exit but was prepared for all eventualities - a reference to what some believe is the growing likelihood of a "no deal" scenario. |
On Monday the PM told MPs "real and tangible" progress had been made in negotiations so far. | On Monday the PM told MPs "real and tangible" progress had been made in negotiations so far. |
But the EU has signalled it is not prepared to agree to move on from the initial phase of talks, covering the financial settlement, Northern Ireland and citizens' rights. | But the EU has signalled it is not prepared to agree to move on from the initial phase of talks, covering the financial settlement, Northern Ireland and citizens' rights. |
The final decision on this will be taken at a European Council summit on 19 October, with the UK keen to move on to discussing what its future relationship with the EU will look like. | The final decision on this will be taken at a European Council summit on 19 October, with the UK keen to move on to discussing what its future relationship with the EU will look like. |
Taking questions from MPs on Monday, Mrs May also confirmed that the UK could remain subject to the rulings of the European Court of Justice during a planned two-year transition period after Britain leaves the EU in March 2019. | Taking questions from MPs on Monday, Mrs May also confirmed that the UK could remain subject to the rulings of the European Court of Justice during a planned two-year transition period after Britain leaves the EU in March 2019. |
This was criticised by some pro-Leave campaigners, with backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg telling the BBC he was "troubled" by the PM's statement. | This was criticised by some pro-Leave campaigners, with backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg telling the BBC he was "troubled" by the PM's statement. |
"If we're remaining under the jurisdiction of the ECJ then we haven't left the European Union or the date of departure is being delayed," he said. | "If we're remaining under the jurisdiction of the ECJ then we haven't left the European Union or the date of departure is being delayed," he said. |
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Environment Secretary Michael Gove - two key figures in last year's Leave campaign - both issued statements backing Mrs May's comments. | Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Environment Secretary Michael Gove - two key figures in last year's Leave campaign - both issued statements backing Mrs May's comments. |
BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said their intervention underlined the government's nervousness about the reaction of Tory Brexiteers over the European Court of Justice's jurisdiction - which for many of them is a "red line". | BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said their intervention underlined the government's nervousness about the reaction of Tory Brexiteers over the European Court of Justice's jurisdiction - which for many of them is a "red line". |
Mr Johnson, who has been accused of undermining the PM with his recent interventions on Brexit strategy, issued a statement backing her "powerful vision". | Mr Johnson, who has been accused of undermining the PM with his recent interventions on Brexit strategy, issued a statement backing her "powerful vision". |
On Twitter, Environment Secretary Mr Gove said: "Strong statement from PM on Brexit - let's be pragmatic over implementation to secure maximum freedom to diverge from EU in end state." | On Twitter, Environment Secretary Mr Gove said: "Strong statement from PM on Brexit - let's be pragmatic over implementation to secure maximum freedom to diverge from EU in end state." |
Asked on Tuesday about the role of the ECJ during a transitional phase, No 10 said business should only have to adjust to one set of changes following the UK's departure. | Asked on Tuesday about the role of the ECJ during a transitional phase, No 10 said business should only have to adjust to one set of changes following the UK's departure. |
But it reiterated the PM's hope that a new dispute resolution system could be devised as quickly as possible to assume the ECJ's functions and settle the matter once and for all. | But it reiterated the PM's hope that a new dispute resolution system could be devised as quickly as possible to assume the ECJ's functions and settle the matter once and for all. |