PM warned transition Brexit deal 'fiendishly difficult' to achieve

Charles Grant, director at the think-tank Centre for European Reform, said seeking a transition deal could delay key aims of May’s Brexit negotiations such as immigration controls and freedom from European court of justice rulings. “May now understands the need for a transitional deal to cover the period between when the UK leaves the EU and when a new free trade agreement comes into effect, several years later,” he said.

“But reaching agreement on a transitional deal will be fiendishly difficult: the EU will insist that the UK accept free movement and European court of justice rulings during the transition, but that may be politically unacceptable for May. Some Brussels officials therefore think the talks may break down without agreement on a transitional deal.”