Brexit talks 'could be delayed until December'

Brexit talks over Britain’s relationship with the EU may be delayed until December, sources have said.

An unnamed source told Sky News that crucial negotiations may have to be postponed until the end of the year if sufficient progress is not made in the first stage of talks.

Officials initially hoped negotiations on the bill Britain should pay on quitting the block, expatriate rights and Northern Ireland would be have progressed well by October, Reuters reported.

Sky sources have indicated that the challenge and timing of agreeing a new German government after federal elections at the end of September has meant a "more formal" engagement from Berlin than had been anticipated, according to Sky News.

A spokesman for the Brexit ministry could not be contacted for a comment, the news agency said.