Michel Barnier gives ‘gloomy’ assessment of post-Brexit trade deal progress

"Having heard from Michel Barnier this morning, really the news is very downbeat," said Simon Coveney

The EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, is said to have given a ‘downbeat’ and ‘gloomy’ assessment of progress in reaching a post-Brexit trade deal (Aaron Chown/PA)

Michel Barnier is said to have given a “downbeat” and “gloomy” assessment of progress in reaching a post-Brexit trade deal between the European Union and UK following a weekend of tense talks.

The EU’s chief negotiator updated ambassadors from the 27 member states on the state of play on Monday morning ahead of a resumption of discussions in Brussels with his UK counterpart, David Frost.