David Davis says there is 'no excuse for standing in the way of progress' as fourth round of Brexit talks open

David Davis, the Brexit secretary, warned there could be "no excuses" for standing in the way of progress in the negotiations as the fourth round of talks began in Brussels on Monday. 

Mr Davis said that payment of the so-called Brexit divorce bill would be linked to a deal on future ties, in a challenge to Brussels, which has insisted that the money must be sorted out first.

"It's obvious that reaching a conclusion on this issue can only be done in the context of, and in accordance with, our new deep and special partnership with the EU," Mr Davis said as he began talks with EU counterpart Michel Barnier.

"Te UK is absolutely committed to working through the detail. We are laying out concrete proposals and there are no excuses for standing in the way of progress," he added.

"It will take pragmatism on both sides to make headway and I hope to achieve that this week."

It came as Mr Barnier, who represents the EU's 27 member states in the negotiations, ruled out a discussion of a transitional arrangement before agreeing on the terms of the exit process. 

"We are not going to mix up discussion on debts and discusions on the past commitments, we are not going to mix up those subjects which are part of the orderly withdrawal with a discussion on our future relationship," he told the EU's General Affairs Council earlier that day. 

More to follow.