Brexit news latest: Jeremy Corbyn meets EU’s Michel Barnier for ‘useful' talks

Jeremy Corbyn in front of EU commission after a meeting with Michel Barnier
EPA
Patrick Grafton-Green27 September 2018
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Jeremy Corbyn has held what he described as “interesting” and “useful” talks with the European Union's chief Brexit negotiator.

In a meeting with Michel Barnier in Brussels, Mr Corbyn said he set out Labour's Brexit strategy and the need to avoid a no-deal.

The pair were joined by Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary.

The Labour leader said the meeting was about the protection of jobs and trade arrangements in the future, the border in Ireland and the rights of EU nationals living in the UK.

Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator
EPA

It comes just days after he pledged to work with the Prime Minister if she brought forward a "sensible deal". His offer to back a Brexit deal in return for a customs union was today rejected by the Conservative chairman.

Mr Barnier said on Twitter after the meeting that he was "continuing to listen to all views on Brexit".

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Corbyn said: "We have set out the views of the Labour Party surrounding Brexit following the conference speeches made by Keir Starmer and myself.

"We are obviously not negotiating. We are not in government, we are the opposition.

"But he was interested to know what our views are and the six tests we have laid down by which we will hold our government in future."

In response to questions over delaying Article 50 if there was an election or second referendum, Mr Corbyn added: "Obviously it would depend when the election is, what the scenario would be.

"We would want to maintain the relationship with Europe around the six tests."

Asked if Mr Barnier gave any indication that Labour's plan would be easier to implement than the Chequers plan, Mr Corbyn said: "He didn't offer and we didn't ask him for opinions on that because that would be going over the line.

"What we did was set out our views and then he set out in broad terms what the progress is and what the timetable is."

Additional reporting by Press Association

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