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Brexit news - live: Brussels hits back at Boris Johnson after he brands EU 'abusive'

 (EPA)
(EPA)

The European Union has hit back at Boris Johnson’s disparaging claims about the actions of negotiators in Brussels during talks over a post-Brexit free trade agreement, pointing to a long track record of international treaties that were concluded in “perfectly good faith”.

Mr Johnson’s remarks came ahead of a warning from the EU trade commissioner that Britain must comply with the Withdrawal Agreement if it is to secure a free trade deal with Brussels.

The prime minister said his proposed breach of international law is a matter of “ring-fencing” the Brexit deal to stop EU negotiators making “abusive or extreme interpretations” of the provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement.

Meanwhile, presidential candidate Joe Biden issued a warning to the UK government that any future trade deal with the US is “contingent” on respecting the terms of the Good Friday Agreement preventing a hard border on the island of Ireland.