The EU has piled further pressure on Britain to settle its “divorce bill” and the fate of EU citizens after Brexit – demanding answers within five days. Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, also ridiculed Boris Johnson’s claim that the EU could “go whistle” over the multi-billion pound exit settlement. The second round of the withdrawal negotiations will get underway next Monday, bringing Barnier face-to-face with Brexit Secretary David Davis again. But the chief negotiator said he wanted clarification “before the beginning of the second round” – making clear he was willing to work through the weekend to make progress. But Barnier attacked British politicians who have described the financial settlement as a “ransom” – insisting the EU was “simply settling accounts”.

Source: Dhaka Tribune July 12, 2017 14:26 UTC