EU wants secret Brexit talks dubbed ‘Le Submarine’ but UK fears trap on fishing

0
220

BRUSSELS have proposed intensive secret trade negotiations called “Le Submarine” – but Brits fear a trap on fishing.

The super secret talks would allow both sides to hammer a trade deal with the EU over the line without the constant public sniping that has dominated so far.

HOAR’s mock-up of Brussels’ ‘Le Submarine’ Brexit talks
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, right, with the PM’s Europe adviser, David Frost 

But UK negotiators are weary Brussels are trying to bounce Britain into last minute concessions or face being blamed for the “submarine talks” sinking. 

One UK source said “obviously we are ready to up the pace but people are getting too over excited – there still is a long way to go and fish remains very tricky.”

Tonight Downing Street played down the idea that a deal was imminent despite soaring hopes and end to talks was in sight. 

And the testy issue of future EU access to British fishing waters has not yet been solved.

A spokesman said: “The last two weeks have been relatively positive, but there remains much to be done.

“We are ready to work as hard as necessary to move things forward this week. Significant gaps remain but an agreement is still possible.”

But they insisted they are not expecting a breakthrough before the next EU summit of leaders in mid-October.

The latest war of words came as Ministers rebuffed a fresh demand from the EU to withdraw controversial legislation which could see the UK unilaterally tear up elements of last year’s Brexit divorce deal.

But Eurocrats tonight rowed back from their threat to pull the plug on trade talks over the PM’s move to rewrite parts of the Irish border fix. 

Brussels bigwig Maros Sefcovic vowed the EU will never be the one to walk away from the negotiations as both sides looked to mend burnt bridges. 

And he admitted Wednesday’s deadline he set No10 to pull parts of the Internal Market Bill that breach last year’s deal will pass without action.

But he also warned the bloc “will not be shy” over taking future legal action against the UK. 

GOT a story? RING HOAR on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]