UK government hits back at Barnier over ‘unrealistic’ position

Michel Barnier said previously there would be no agreement if the UK did not budge over fisheries Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA

The British government has accused EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier of painting a “misleading representation” of the UK’s post-Brexit proposals to deflect from Brussels’ “unrealistic” position.

No 10 Downing Street struck back on Thursday after Mr Barnier warned that the UK is risking crashing out of the bloc without a deal at the end of the transition because it is refusing to compromise.