Brexit trade talks to restart after both sides promise concessions

EU trade negotiators will return to London on Thursday to restart Brexit trade talks, after both sides promised to work “intensively” for a deal.

Downing Street had previously told chief negotiator Michel Barnier there was “no point” in him coming to the UK unless the EU fundamentally shifted it position.

But following a telephone conversation between the EU chief negotiator and his UK counterpart Lord Frost, a Downing Street spokesperson said the UK was ready to try and “bridge” remaining divides and would welcome Mr Barnier’s team to London.

Mr Barnier had earlier on Wednesday told the European Parliament that a deal was “within reach” if both sides were ready to make compromises.

“Lord Frost discussed the implications of this statement and the state of play with Mr Barnier earlier today,” the No.10 spokesperson told reporters.

“On the basis of that conversation we are ready to welcome the EU team to London to resume negotiations later this week. We have jointly agreed a set of principles for handling this intensified phase of talks.”

They added that Mr Barnier had “acknowledged the UK’s established red lines” and that the British side was “ready, with the EU, to see if it is possible to bridge them in intensive talks”.

Lord Frost said that “intensive talks” would “happen every day” and begin in the afternoon on Thursday 22 October in London.

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