European Parliament's UK trade negotiator concerned about slow progress in Brexit talks
European Parliament's UK trade negotiator concerned about slow progress in Brexit talks

The European Parliament’s UK trade coordinator says the EU is concerned about slow progress in trade negotiations, as a result of Covid-19.

David McAllister, a German MEP, said there were still “major points of divergence” between the UK and EU on a number of issues, including fisheries and policing.

The UK left the EU on January 31 and is in a transition period until December 31, by when it intends to have reached a comprehensive trade agreement with Brussels.

Boris Johnson has insisted his government will not seek an extension to the transition period, despite the impact of Covid-19 on civil servants’ and ministers’ ability to meet their European counterparts.