Britain rejects more ‘pointless’ Brexit talks unless EU budge & says UK should get ready for No Deal

BRITAIN has today rejected fresh Brexit talks unless the EU dramatically shift their positions - despite the EU u-turning on fresh talks.

As Michael Gove denounced further meetings as "pointless" in the House of Commons today, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier caved to pressure and agreed to "intensified" discussions.

After Boris Johnson's gave up talks last week, Mr Gove told MPs a Canada-style free trade agreement "would not now happen" and told businesses to "get ready" for No Deal.

And Mr Gove said this afternoon: "There needs to be a fundamental change in approach from the EU if the process is to get back on track."

The Government threw out demands for fresh talks, saying there needed to be even more change.

A No10 spokesman said tonight of talks between Brexit chiefs Michel Barnier and David Frost: “This was a constructive discussion. 

"The UK has noted the EU’s proposal to genuinely intensify talks, which is what would be expected at this stage in a negotiation.

"However, the UK continues to believe there is no basis to resume talks unless there is a fundamental change of approach from the EU.

'NEEDS FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE'

"This means an EU approach consistent with trying to find an agreement between sovereign equals and with acceptance that movement needs to come from the EU side as well as the UK. 

"The two teams agreed to remain in close touch.”

But, crucially, Downing Street said the U-turn was not enough to resume talks.

However, EU sources said the bloc was ready to “climb down” from its hardest demands on access to fishing waters and state aid.

And if a trade pact cannot be agreed, Brussels is willing to consider mini-deals for some areas such as road and air transport links.

'UTTER RUBBISH'

But ex-PM Theresa May voiced fears UK police won’t be able to “identify and catch criminals and potential terrorists” if they lose access to EU databases.

She appeared to mouth “Utter rubbish” as Mr Gove claimed the UK will boost its security outside the EU.

Mr Gove slammed the bloc for backtracking on promises made by EU Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen that there would be intensive talks in the run up Mr Johnson's October 15 deadline to make progress.

He said: "The conclusions of the European Council meeting dropped a reference to intensive talks that had been in the draft and declared that all future moves had to be made by the UK."