Michel Barnier: Brexit negotiations have hit ‘disturbing’ deadlock

Deadlocked or making good progress? Two different verdicts on the Brexit negotiations were given in Brussels today as the latest round of talks ended. The EU negotiator Michel Barnier said Britain’s refusal to spell out how much it will pay on leaving the EU was “very disturbing” and meant the talks could not move on before December.

That downbeat assessment sent the pound sinking against the euro. The Brexit secretary David Davis appealed to the EU member states to recognise the progress that had been made, and allow the talks to move forward when they meet next week.