Theresa May to meet chief Brexit negotiator in London next week

Brexit talks gather pace next week as the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier travels to London to meet Theresa May and David Davis.

The prime minister and Brexit secretary will be keen for negotiations on a proposed transition deal to step up a gear as Mr Barnier arrives for face-to-face dialogue in Downing Street next Monday.

Number 10 tweeted: “The Prime Minister will welcome @MichelBarnier to Downing Street on Monday, where he and @DavidDavisMP will discuss the upcoming negotiations on the implementation period and the next steps in building a new partnership between the EU and the UK.”

The Prime Minister will welcome @MichelBarnier to Downing Street on Monday, where he and @DavidDavisMP will discuss the upcoming negotiations on the implementation period and the next steps in building a new partnership between the EU and the UK.

— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) February 2, 2018

Mr Barnier said he wanted to discuss the UK’s “orderly withdrawal” ahead of a fresh round of talks in Brussels next week.

He tweeted: “Looking forward to catch up w/ @DavidDavis on Monday to discuss UK’s orderly withdrawal, and meet w/ @EBA_News on £Brexit preparedness of EU financial service providers. Next EU/UK negotiation round starts on Tuesday in Brussels:”

Looking forward to catching up w/ @DavidDavisMP on Monday to discuss UK’s orderly withdrawal, and meet w/ @EBA_News on #Brexit preparedness of EU financial service providers. Next EU/UK negotiation round starts on Tuesday in Brussels: pic.twitter.com/KMKlsrkQQ6

— Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) February 2, 2018

Mr Davis tweeted: “Looking forward to welcoming @MichelBarnier to London on Monday. Important next step in our work to build new partnership between UK & EU.”

The meeting comes in the wake of a clash between the two sides over the rights of EU migrants who come to the UK during any transition period.

Mrs May has insisted that EU workers who arrive in the UK during the proposed transition arrangements from March 2019 to December 2020 cannot have the same status as people who came to Britain before withdrawal.

The talks also follow a rejection by international trade secretary Liam Fox of reports the UK is seeking a form of customs union with the EU after Brexit.

Officials will hold technical talks in Brussels next week, with the UK expected to give an update on its plans for the future relationship on February 9.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “My understanding of what the EU has set out is that these talks on the future relationship will be at a technical level looking at the process and structure of how the talks on the future relationship proceed.”

Asked if Cabinet ministers on the Brexit sub-committee would hold crunch talks about the deal sought with Brussels, the spokesman said: “There are meetings of the sub-committee next week but we won’t get into the discussion that will take place within those sub-committees.”