Brexit talks suspended at key moment after EU negotiator tests positive for Covid

Brexit trade talks have had to be suspended at a crucial moment after a member of the EU negotiating team tested positive for Covid-19.

Michel Barnier, the head of the EU delegation, said both sides had agreed to suspend top-level negotiations “for a short period” as a precautionary measure.

Neither Mr Barnier nor his UK counterpart David Frost, nor any of their lead negotiators will attend meetings until the situation is resolved – though some technical work is still expected to continue.

The disruption comes at a key juncture for the talks, which are facing a ticking clock to produce a free trade agreement and avoid a no deal.

Both sides have said a deal must be reached by mid-November to give time for an agreement to be implemented by December 31, when the UK leaves the single market and customs union.

Mr Barnier said on Thursday afternoon: “One of the negotiators in my team has tested positive for Covid-19. With David Frost we have decided to suspend the negotiations at our level for a short period. The teams will continue their work in full respect of guidelines.”

UK lead negotiator Lord Frost said: “I am in close contact with Michel Barnier about the situation. The health of our teams comes first. I would like to thank the European Commission for their immediate help and support.”

A video conference of EU presidents and prime ministers scheduled for later on Thursday will be updated on the status of the EU-UK discussions and decide whether they should continue. 

The virtual meeting had been seen in Brussels as an informal deadline for discussions, but the latest suspension may encourage both parties to keep working for longer.

Coronavirus has previously caused significant disruption to EU-UK trade negotiations, with travel bans in the early stages of the pandemic leading to the cancellation of a number of negotiating rounds. 

Some rounds of talks were held by video-link, but in-person discussions resumed after teleconferencing was judged by the inadequate for the purposes of such negotiations. 

Negotiators, who were holding discussions in Brussels for this crucial week, are still stuck on the questions of fishing rights, governance of the deal, and the question of the extent to which the UK should adhere to EU rules.

Coronavirus rules in Belgium require contacts to quarantine for seven days if they are exposed to someone with the disease. Both Mr Barnier and Lord Frost caught the disease in March and spent a period in self-isolation.

A UK government spokesperson said: “The Commission has informed us that an official in their delegation has tested positive for Covid-19. We are discussing with them the implications for the negotiations. We have been, and will continue to, act in line with public health guidelines and to ensure the health and welfare our teams.”