UK calls for ‘more realism’ from Brussels ahead of crunch round of negotiations

The Lifford Bridge, from Donegal, which marks the border between Strabane in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and Lifford in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland (Niall Carson/PA)

Progress must be made in crunch negotiations this week in order to broker a deal in time for the end of the Brexit transition period, the UK’s chief negotiator has warned his EU counterpart.

David Frost called for “more realism” from Brussels as he said the two sides “can no longer afford to go over well-trodden ground” in the deadlocked talks.