Michel Barnier, the EU’s lead negotiator, has refused to discuss details of a free-trade agreementBritain has tabled a draft free-trade agreement with the European Union to try to unblock stalled Brexit negotiations, according to diplomats. Government sources have refused to confirm its existence but The Times has learnt that David Frost, Boris Johnson’s chief negotiator, handed over a “consolidated legal text” at a private dinner in Brussels this week. Classified as a secret negotiating text, it is regarded by EU officials as a desperate move. “It is the British under time pressure,” a senior Brussels source close to the negotiations said, noting that the government had previously ruled out such a draft. Michel Barnier, the EU’s lead negotiator, has frustrated Mr Frost by refusing to discuss details of a free-trade agreement unless subjects such as fishing were

Source: The Times August 20, 2020 22:52 UTC