EU preparing for possible collapse of Brexit talks - Barnier Published duration 12 November 2017 Related Topics Brexit

image copyright AFP image caption Michel Barnier says "everyone needs to plan" for the possible collapse of Brexit negotiations

The EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, says he is planning for the possible collapse of Brexit negotiations with the UK.

Failing to reach an agreement was not his preferred option, he stressed.

The UK's Brexit Secretary David Davis has said it is time for both sides "to work to find solutions".

On Friday, Mr Davis insisted good progress was being made across the board, and that the negotiations had narrowed to a "few outstanding, albeit important, issues".

Discussing the likelihood of the talks collapsing, Mr Barnier said: "It's not my option, but it's a possibility. Everyone needs to plan for it, member states and businesses alike. We too are preparing for it technically.

"A failure of the negotiations would have consequences on multiple domains."

But Mr Davis has made conflicting remarks, suggesting the UK would not have to give a figure for a financial settlement before it could move on to talks about a future trading relationship.

Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, he said: "In every negotiation, each side tries to control the timetable. The real deadline on this is, of course, December."

Mr Davis was referring to the next EU summit which will take place in Brussels in December.

media caption David Davis says there cannot be a new border within the UK

He said British taxpayers "would not want me to just come along and just give away billions of pounds".

He added: "We've been very, very careful, and it's taking time and we will take our time to get to the right answer."