The EU’s trade deal offer is still “unacceptable” to the UK, according to a government source, as Brexit negotiations are expected to continue late into the night in Brussels.
“Talks are continuing overnight, but as things stand the offer on the table from the EU remains unacceptable,” a source said on Saturday night.
It followed an announcement that Royal Navy ships would be dispatched into the channel if a trade agreement is not brokered with the EU, with four armed vessels on standby.
Fish has remained a point of contention between the EU and the UK, with France’s Emmanuel Macron saying he would not give up his share of the fish in the channel to the detriment of his nation’s fishermen. "I'm not asking to have my cake and eat it, no", he said. "All I want is a cake that’s worth its weight. Because I won’t give up my share of it either”.
Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative MP who chairs the Defence Select Committee, said the government’s potential measure was “irresponsible”.
“Global threats increasing, Navy overstretched. Here we are squaring up to a NATO ally as beneath the same sea increased Russian sub/ drone activity goes unchecked,” he tweeted on Friday evening.
