Video
Minister says it is 'possible' Brexit talks could be extended beyond transition period
George Eustice answers questions on Brexit - Credit: Sky News
A minister in Boris Johnson's government has admitted that Brexit talks with the European Union could be extended beyond the transition period of December 31.
Appearing on Sky News with Kay Burley, the environment secretary George Eustice said it is "always possible" to extend negotiations, and that the UK's chief negotiator David Frost has always been clear he would persevere with talks if there was a likely satisfactory outcome.
Burley asked: "How likely are we to have a deal this week and if we don’t have a deal does that mean we have run out of time?"
Eustice replied: "Well, we really are now running out of time and we have been saying that for some weeks.
"This is the crucial week we need to get a breakthrough.
"I really do think we are now in the final week or 10 days.
But he added: "Of course, if great progress was made this week and you were nearly there it is always possible to extend those negotiations.
Most Read
- 1 The biggest scandal may be that no rules were broken
- 2 A chapter is over for Britain, for good or ill
- 3 Russell Kane: Why working class people like Boris Johnson
- 4 BBC journalist admits being 'haunted' by fear broadcaster 'built up' Nigel Farage and UKIP
- 5 Alan Duncan should have spoken out sooner about Boris Johnson
- 6 Welsh government takes Westminster to court over post-Brexit bill
- 7 Ulster Unionism's crisis of faith
- 8 EU president faces fresh calls to resign over 'disastrous' Covid vaccine programme
- 9 The only Brexit export boom is from UK businesses rushing to Europe
- 10 The deep-seated issues beneath Sofagate
"David Frost has made clear that we are continuing the negotiations because we still think there is a prospect that we can get an agreement and while there is, we should persevere with those.
"There does come a point for both sides where the ability to ratify an agreement and get things sorted because quite difficult if we leave things too late.
"Businesses do need to know where they stand on January 1."
It is one of the first admissions from the government that it may not walk away without a deal at the end of the year if an agreement is not reached.
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
