Boris Johnson has reiterated he is “confident [the UK] will prosper” outside the EU if a post-Brexit trade deal is not agreed with the bloc. Talks began again in Brussels on Monday, with the UK’s chief negotiator saying there had been “progress”. Lord David Frost told reporters: “We’re working very hard to get a deal but there’s quite a lot to do.”

His EU counterpart, Michel Barnier, said he wanted “future cooperation to be open but fair” with the UK.  Tweeting as talks started, he added: “We remain determined, patient, respectful.” Sticking points between the two sides focus on competition rules and state aid for businesses, as well as fishing rights. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said there was still a “very, very wide gap” on fishing, with no progress on the issue since the summer. He told RTE: “Until we can find a way of doing that, there isn’t going to be an agreement.”(BBC)…[+]