British negotiators again ruled out extending the Brexit transition with the EU. UK ministers and officials have come under mounting pressure to delay the deadline for striking a deal with Brussels as the world battles coronavirus.
They have been unable to hold face-to-face meetings with counterparts since the outbreak began. While Britain formally left the EU on January 31, we immediately entered an 11-month period where the relationship with the EU remains largely unchanged.
Teams have until December 31 to agree a pact on the new relationship – and either side can walk away from talks in June. British chief negotiator David Frost told the EU's Michel Barnier the UK would not request an extension to the December cut-off.