Michael Gove has warned Brexit talks might not go ahead because of coronavirus (Picture: PA/Metro.co.uk)

The next round of post-Brexit trade talks could be shelved as the coronavirus crisis deepens across Europe.

Michael Gove said the situation was ‘live’ and they had been told by EU officials that there may be public health concerns.

He said the government had received ‘indications’ that the EU wants to postpone the negotiations, which were scheduled to start in London in a few weeks’ time.

Mr Gove added: ‘We were looking forward to the joint committee meeting in the UK on the 30th of this month and, obviously, the next stage.


‘We have had indications today, from Belgium, that there may be specific public health concerns.’

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EU workers in Brussels and a British MP are among those who have contracted the virus, which has now infected more than 119,000 people worldwide.



Businesses are looking into allowing people to work while a number of EU countries have banned public meetings.

Italy is the worst affected European country at the moment and has been put into lockdown.

Infectious disease control experts have warned the UK is on the same trajectory and just ‘two to three weeks behind’ where Italy is now.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the EU and the UK are not in agreement yet over future trade arrangements (Picture: Reuters)

A spokesman for the European Commission said the second round of talks was still scheduled to go ahead.

But Mr Gove told the Future Relationship with the European Union Committee that it could be derailed.

He added he would keep MPs updated with any progress.

Mr Gove, who is responsible for Brexit preparations, has ruled out any delay to the process saying there would be no extension to the transition period.

If talks are delayed, it could have huge consequences on the likelihood of the UK crashing out at the end of the year without a trade deal.

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has delivered his first budget dominated by coronavirus (Picture: Getty)

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set a deadline of June for the two sides to make progress and has threatened to walk away.

The first round of talks was held in Brussels last week and both sides remain far from any kind of agreement.

The UK wants a ‘Canada-style’ free trade agreement while Brussels has called for a closer relationship.

The sticking points continue to be rows over fishing and the future role of the European Court of Justice.

Leaving without a deal risks plunging the UK into recession and figures today suggested the economy had unexpectedly flatlined at the start of this year.

New Chancellor Rishi Sunak will pledge billions of pounds to fight the impact of the coronavirus outbreak after the Bank of England slashed interest rates.