Brexit: UK and EU negotiations to start on Monday

Pic:EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier (left) and UK Brexit Secretary David Davis confirmed the start of talks/REUTERS
Political reporter(wp):

Formal Brexit negotiations will begin on Monday, the UK and EU say.

The announcement by Brexit Secretary David Davis and EU negotiator Michel Barnier follows preliminary talks in Brussels between officials.

The formal negotiations were already due to start on Monday but doubt was cast by the general election result and ongoing talks between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionists.

The UK is due to leave the EU by the end of March 2019.

Prime Minister Theresa May invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which started the clock on Brexit, in March.

Mrs May had hoped the general election would increase her Commons majority before the start of talks - but it created a hung Parliament, and she is seeking the DUP's backing to win key votes.

Key subjects to be negotiated include the status of EU nationals and Britons living elsewhere in the EU, the size of any "divorce" bill and how the UK will trade with the EU once it leaves.

Since last week's general election, there have been calls for a new cross-party approach to talks, but Downing Street has said its strategy will not change.

EU leaders have been calling for talks to begin - on Tuesday Mr Barnier said: "I can't negotiate with myself."