Brexit talks: David Davis heads to Brussels for negotiations as cabinet ministers squabble in London

The Brexit Secertary will stay overnight in the Belgian capital in a bid to force progress in negotiations

Brexit Secretary David Davis heads to Brussels for talks today (Getty Images)

David Davis will kick off a new round of withdrawal talks in Brussels today as Brexit divisions in London threaten the stability of Theresa May's government.

The Brexit Secretary has taken the unusual step of staying over in the Belgian capital with the UK desperate to ensure progress is made towards discussions on a future trade deal.

But his ability to come to a fixed position on withdrawal with EU counterparts will be hampered by the ongoing battle between allies of Boris Johnson and Philip Hammond.

A friend on the Chancellor was said to have branded Mr Johnson "simple-minded", amid anger over claims that the Foreign Secretary said he had blocked Mr Hammond from getting his way over Brexit.

It follows a short-lived truce in the wake of Ms May's speech in Florence, which called for a two-year transition in which the UK would continue to pay into EU coffers, remain a part of the single market and customs union and retain free movement.

During four days of talks, chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier will demand Mr Davis flesh out the "concrete implications" of Ms May's speech, including over the nature of the transition period.

Sources close to the Brexit Secretary played down the significance of Mr Davis remaining in Brussels overnight, saying he would be holding meetings, though he would normally have been expected to return to the UK after the opening day.

Ever since Ms May's speech in Florence cabinet members have been engaged in tit for tat sniping, with Mr Johnson reported to have claimed that he prevented other colleagues from pushing the Prime Minister to call for a five year transition.

He is also said to have set out 'red lines' that other cabinet figures believe implausible, for example that the UK should not accept any new regulations during the transition, despite the fact that Britain is supposed to adhere to EU rules and structures.

The Daily Telegraph then quoted one unnamed ally of the Chancellor as saying that Mr Hammond was simply being "pragmatic" about the difficulties involved in leaving the EU while Mr Johnson was "talking tough for the sake of it".

"The bottom line is that this is not going to be easy, something that's over-looked by simple-minded Brexiteers like Boris.

"When it comes down to practicalities, it may well take longer," the ally was quoted as saying.

Mr Johnson had already infuriated some ministers with the publication of his own 4,000-word blueprint for Brexit in the run-up to Mrs May's speech.

Mr Davis denied that the policy had changed as a result of the Foreign Secretary's intervention, saying: "The simple truth is Boris signed up to this."

Downing Street said it would not respond to the anonymous briefings over the weekend but insisted the "Cabinet is all working together and united in delivering the smoothest possible Brexit."

The Prime Minister's official spokesman added: "The PM set out her views very clearly in the speech. She talked about a transition period of around two years, that is her position."

"In terms of the implementation period and what that looks like, that will obviously be a matter for negotiation with the EU."

Under Ms May's proposals, EU nationals will be free to settle in the UK during the transition period while the rights of those living in the country would be written into British law.

Britain and the EU would continue to enjoy the same access to each other's markets while the Prime Minister also held out the prospect of a comprehensive new treaty on future security co-operation.

Mr Davis confirmed the UK would pay in "roughly" £10 billion a year during the transition - although he played down claims that the final "divorce bill" once pensions and other liabilities were taken into account could be £40 billion.


 David Davis, Philip Hammond and Boris Johnson are in a tussle over the future of Brexit
 (Getty)

With the clock ticking on the talks, ministers hope the offer will be sufficient to persuade the EU side to move to the second phase of the negotiations on the future relationship between the UK and the remaining 27 - including a free trade deal.

While Mr Barnier has welcomed the "constructive spirit" of Ms May's speech, he made clear that the EU side would need to study the proposals in more detail before reaching a verdict.

He also said that greater clarity was needed from the UK on its plans for the border with Ireland following Brexit - another key issue which the EU wants to see resolved before moving to phase two.

The issue will be high on the agenda when Ms May holds talks in Downing Street with Irish premier Leo Varadkar in her first meeting with an EU leader since the Florence speech.