The European Union’s chief negotiator has warned Britain to start “negotiating seriously” as the stand-off over the Brexit divorce bill intensified.
Speaking before the latest round of talks began in Brussels today, Michel Barnier voiced frustration at the government’s “ambiguity” and the failure of ministers to publish a position paper on the UK’s potential financial liabilities.
As the rhetoric on both sides escalated, a senior government source described Mr Barnier’s attack as “ill-considered and unhelpful”, while David Davis, the Brexit secretary, pointedly called on the European Commission to show “flexibility and imagination” in this week’s discussions.
British sources made clear that the lack of a position paper was deliberate and that the government was not prepared to commit to a financial settlement without the EU
