‘Deep concern’ over Brexit talks

Leading MEP warns of ‘long list of fundamental divergences’ as negotiation deadline approaches

MEPs leading on Brexit for the European Parliament have expressed “deep concern” that a deal on the future relationship between the EU and the UK will not be agreed and approved before temporary arrangements between the two end on 31 December, which would put their R&D collaboration at risk.

“Today, we met [EU chief Brexit negotiator] Michel Barnier and noted with deep concern that the list of fundamental divergences remains long,” German MEP David McAllister, who chairs the European Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, said after a 4 November briefing.