David Davis: Brexit divorce bill will not be agreed for at least another year
3 min read
The size of the 'divorce bill' Britain will have to pay when it quits the European Union will not be agreed for at least another year, David Davis has predicted.
The Brexit Secretary admitted there were still "significant differences to be bridged" between the two sides on the size of the disputed sum.
His remarks are likely to infuriate Brussels, who have insisted that substantial progress must be made on the exit payment before negotiations can move on to the future trading relationship between Britain and the EU.
Updating MPs on the latest round of talks, Mr Davis said: "My expectation is that the money argument will go on for the full duration of the negotiation - the famous European line 'nothing's agreed until everything is agreed' will apply here."
British and European negotiators hope to reach a final agreement by October next year, leaving six months for national parliaments to formally ratify the deal before the UK leaves on 30 March, 2019.
It was reported at the weekend that Theresa May is prepared to pay a bill of £50bn, but that was dismissed as "nonsense" by Mr Davis.
At an angry press conference last week, chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier accused Britain of reneging on previous financial commitments.
"In July the UK recognised that it has obligations beyond the Brexit date, but this week the UK explained that its obligations will be limited to their last payment to the EU budget before departure," he said.
"With such uncertainty how can we build trust and start discussing a future relationship? We need to address together these issues seriously and rigorously."
In his Commons statement, Mr Davis said: "It's clear that the two sides have very different legal stances. The settlement should be in accordance in law and in the spirit of the UKs continued partnership with the EU."
He added: "There are significant differences to be bridged in this sector."
However, Mr Davis said the UK stood ready to hold "continuous" negotiations in a bid to break the deadlock and hasten a deal.
"We stand ready to do anything to accelerate the process," he said. "Whether it's possible to get continuous negotiation, I don't know. If it is, we would be happy to do it."
Meanwhile, the Brexit Secretary was mocked for claiming "nobody pretended this would be simple or easy".
Labour MP Ian Murray, of the pro-EU group Open Britain, said: "Cynical Brexiteers have spent months pretending that Brexit would be a piece of cake, but now reality has intruded and the process is turning into a chimps' tea party.
"Their unrealistic expectations and refusal to face the facts increases the likelihood that Britain could leave the EU with a bad deal – or even no deal – putting jobs and people’s livelihoods at risk."
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